Mesogenic stabilizers

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to compounds represented by the following Formula Ia, 
                         
in which each R 1 -R 6  can in each case be independently selected from hydrogen or hydrocarbyl (e.g., methyl); R 7  is a multivalent linking group, such as
 
                         
L 1  is a divalent linking group, such as a bond or divalent optionally substituted hydrocarbyl; each L 2  independently represents a flexible segment, such as divalent linear or branched C 1 -C 25  alkyl; each L 3  independently represents a rigid segment including, for example, optionally substituted phenylen-1,4-diyl groups; t is from 1 to 4; m and p are each independently from 0 to 4 for each t, provided that the sum of m and p is at least 1 for each t; and E can be hydrogen or optionally substituted hydrocarbyl. The present invention also relates to compositions, such as liquid crystal compositions, and articles, such as optical elements, that include the compound represented by Formula Ia.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is entitled to and claims priority to the followingUnited States patent applications as a continuation-in-part under 35U.S.C. §120: U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/051,130, filed on Mar.18, 2011; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/489,811, filed Jun. 23,2009; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/489,843, filed Jun. 23, 2009;U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/163,116, filed Jun. 27, 2008; andU.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/163,180, filed Jun. 27, 2008, eachof which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to compounds having at least two hinderedamine light stabilizer groups, and one or more mesogen groups orsegments, and to compositions, such as liquid crystal compositions, andarticles of manufacture, such as optical elements, containing suchcompounds.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The molecules of a liquid crystal tend to align with one another insubstantially one direction, which results in a fluid material havinganisotropic optical, electromagnetic, and mechanical properties. Amesogen is typically described as the primary or fundamental unit (orsegment or group) of a liquid crystal material that induces, and/or isinduced into, structural order amongst and between liquid crystals(e.g., other liquid crystal materials that are present).

Liquid crystal polymers are polymers capable of forming regions ofhighly ordered structure while in a liquid phase. Liquid crystalpolymers have a wide range of uses, including engineering plastics, andgels for LC displays. The structure of liquid crystal polymers IStypically composed of densely packed fibrous polymer chains that provideself-reinforcement almost to the melting point of the polymer.

Dichroism can occur in liquid crystals due to the optical anisotropy ofthe molecular structure, or the presence of impurities, or the presenceof dichroic dyes. As used herein, the term “dichroism,” and similarterms, such as “dichroic” means the ability to absorb one of twoorthogonal plane polarized components of radiation (e.g., transmittedand/or reflected radiation) more strongly than the other orthogonalplane polarized component.

Linearly polarizing elements, such as linearly polarizing lenses forsunglasses and linearly polarizing filters, are typically formed fromorientated, such as unilaterally orientated, polymer sheets containing adichroic material, such as a static dichroic dye. Consequently,conventional linearly polarizing elements are static elements having asingle, linearly polarizing state. Accordingly, when a conventionallinearly polarizing element is exposed to either randomly polarizedradiation or reflected radiation of the appropriate wavelength, somepercentage of the radiation transmitted through the element is linearlypolarized. As used herein the term “linearly polarized” means to confineor effectively limit the vibrations of the electromagnetic vector oflight waves to one direction or plane.

In addition, conventional linearly polarizing elements are often tinted.For example, conventional linearly polarizing elements can contain acoloring agent, such as a static dichroic dye, and correspondingly havean absorption spectrum that does not vary in response to actinicradiation. The color of conventional linearly polarizing elementstypically depends upon the coloring agent present in the element, and isoften a neutral color (e.g., brown or gray). As such, while conventionallinearly polarizing elements are useful in reducing glare associatedwith reflected light, they are not, however, well suited for use undercertain low-light conditions, because of the static coloring agent. Inaddition, because conventional linearly polarizing elements have only asingle, tinted linearly polarizing state, they are limited in theirability to store or display information.

As discussed above, conventional linearly polarizing elements aretypically formed using sheets of orientated polymer films containing adichroic material. Thus, while dichroic materials are capable ofselectively absorbing one of two orthogonal plane polarized componentsof transmitted radiation, if the molecules of the dichroic material arenot suitably positioned or aligned, no net linear polarization oftransmitted radiation will be achieved. Due to the random positioning ofthe molecules of the dichroic material, selective absorption by theindividual molecules will cancel each other such that no net or overalllinear polarizing effect is achieved. As such, suitable positioning ofthe molecules of the dichroic material is typically achieved byalignment thereof with another material, which results in a net linearpolarization.

In contrast to the dichroic elements discussed above, conventionalphotochromic elements, such as photochromic lenses that are formed usingconventional thermally reversible photochromic materials, are generallycapable of converting from a first state, for example, a “clear state,”to a second state, for example, a “colored state,” in response toexposure to actinic radiation, and then reverting back to the firststate in response to, actinic radiation, such as the absence orreduction of exposure to actinic radiation, and/or thermal energy. Assuch, conventional photochromic elements are generally well suited foruse in both low-light conditions and bright conditions. Conventionalphotochromic elements, however, that do not include linearly polarizingfilters are generally not adapted to linearly polarize radiation. Thatis, the absorption ratio of conventional photochromic elements, ineither state (e.g., clear state and/or colored state), is generally lessthan two. As used herein, the term “absorption ratio” refers to theratio of absorbance of radiation linearly polarized in a first plane tothe absorbance of the same wavelength radiation linearly polarized in aplane orthogonal to the first plane, in which the first plane is definedas the plane with the highest absorbance. Therefore, conventionalphotochromic elements are not capable of reducing glare associated withreflected light to the same extent as conventional linearly polarizingelements. To address this deficiency, photochromic-dichroic materialshave been developed. Photochromic-dichroic materials provide bothphotochromic properties (i.e., having an absorption spectrum for atleast visible radiation that varies in response to at least actinicradiation), and dichroic properties (i.e., capable of absorbing one oftwo orthogonal plane polarized components of at least transmittedradiation more strongly than the other).

Photochromic materials and photochromic-dichroic materials can beincorporated into a substrate or an organic material, for example apolymer substrate, including liquid crystal polymer substrates. Whenphotochromic materials and photochromic-dichroic materials undergo achange from one state to another (e.g., from a clear state to a coloredstate), the molecule(s) of the photochromic compound orphotochromic-dichroic compound typically undergo a conformational changefrom a first conformational state to a second conformational state. Thisconformational change can result in a change in the amount of physicalspace that the compound occupies. For certain photochromic materials andcertain photochromic-dichroic materials, however, to effectivelytransition from one state to another state (e.g., to transition from aclear state to a colored state, or to transition from a colored state toa clear state, and/or to transition from a non-polarized state to apolarized state, or to transition from a polarized state to anon-polarized state) the photochromic compound or photochromic-dichroiccompound typically requires a chemical environment that is sufficientlyflexible to allow the compound to transition from a first conformationalstate to a second conformational state at a rate that is at leastsufficient to provide the desired response on over an acceptable timeframe. Liquid crystal polymers can provide such a sufficiently flexibleenvironment.

Organic materials, such as polymers and/or liquid crystal polymers,typically include stabilizers, such as thermal stabilizer and/orultraviolet light stabilizers, to limit and/or delay degradation of theorganic material due to exposure to elevated temperatures and/orultraviolet light. The presence of stabilizers in organic materialscontaining dichroic materials, such as photochromic-dichroic materials,can disrupt alignment of the dichroic materials, resulting in anundesirable reduction in absorption ratio values. Alternatively oradditionally, when the organic material is composed of or containsliquid crystal materials, such as liquid crystal polymers, the presenceof stabilizers can undesirably disrupt alignment of the liquid crystalmaterials. Still further alternatively or additionally, to disruptingliquid crystal alignment, the stabilizers may not be sufficientlysoluble in the liquid crystal material, such as a liquid crystal polymermatrix, resulting in an undesirable reduction in clarity (e.g., anincrease in haze) of the material.

It would be desirable to develop new stabilizers that can be used incompositions containing liquid crystal materials. In addition, it wouldbe desirable that such newly developed stabilizers minimize or result inno disruption of liquid crystal alignment and/or have improvedsolubility in compositions containing liquid crystal materials. It wouldbe further desirable that such newly developed stabilizers enhanceliquid crystal alignment in compositions containing liquid crystalmaterials.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a compoundrepresented by the following Formula Ia,

With reference to the compound represented by Formula Ia, each R¹, andmore particularly each R¹ of the each piperidinyl group bonded tomultivalent linking group R⁷, is independently selected from hydrogen,hydrocarbyl and substituted hydrocarbyl each optionally interrupted withat least one of —O—, —S—, —C(O)—, —C(O)O—, —OC(O)O—, —S(O)—, —SO₂—,—N(R⁹)—, and —Si(R⁹)(R¹⁰)—, and combinations of two or more thereof. TheR⁹ and R¹⁰ groups, for example, of the interrupting —N(R⁹)— and—Si(R⁹)(R) groups, are each independently selected from hydrogen,hydrocarbyl and substituted hydrocarbyl.

Each of the R², R³, R⁴ and R⁵ groups of Formula Ia are in each caseindependently, and more particularly in each case independently for eachpiperidinyl group bonded to multivalent linking group R⁷, selected fromhydrocarbyl and substituted hydrocarbyl.

Each R⁶ group of Formula Ia is in each case independently, and moreparticularly in each case independently for each piperidinyl groupbonded to multivalent linking group R⁷, selected from hydrogen, OH,hydrocarbyl and substituted hydrocarbyl each optionally interrupted withat least one of —O—, —S—, —C(O)—, —C(O)O—, —OC(O)O—, —S(O)—, —SO₂—,—N(R⁹)—, and —Si(R⁹)(R¹⁰)—, and combinations of two or more thereof. TheR⁹ and R¹⁰ groups, for example, of the interrupting —N(R⁹)— and—Si(R⁹)(R¹⁰)— groups, are each independently selected from hydrogen,hydrocarbyl and substituted hydrocarbyl.

The R⁷ group of Formula Ia is a multivalent linking group selected frommultivalent hydrocarbyl and multivalent substituted hydrocarbyl eachoptionally interrupted with at least one of —O—, —S—, —C(O)—, —C(O)O—,—OC(O)O—, —S(O)—, —SO₂—, —N(R⁹)—, and —Si(R⁹)(R¹⁰)—, and combinations oftwo or more thereof. The R⁹ and R¹⁰ groups, for example, of theinterrupting —N(R⁹)— and —Si(R⁹)(R¹⁰)— groups, are each independentlyselected from hydrogen, hydrocarbyl and substituted hydrocarbyl. Withsome embodiments, R⁷ is a trivalent linking group.

The L¹ linking group of Figure Ia is a divalent linking group selectedfrom a bond, divalent hydrocarbyl and divalent substituted hydrocarbyl,and combinations of two or more thereof.

With further reference to Formula Ia subscript t is 1 to 4. Subscript mof Formula Ia is, independently for each t, from 0 to 4.

Each L² of Formula Ia is, independently for each m, selected fromdivalent C₁-C₂₅ linear or branched alkyl and divalent C₂-C₂₅ linear orbranched alkenyl, in each case optionally interrupted with at least oneof —O—, —S—, —C(O)—, —C(O)O—, —OC(O)O—, —S(O)—, —SO₂—, —N(R⁹)—, and—Si(R⁹)(R¹⁰)—, and combinations of two or more thereof. The R⁹ and R¹⁰groups, for example, of the interrupting —N(R⁹)— and —Si(R⁹)(R¹⁰)—groups, are each independently selected from hydrogen, hydrocarbyl andsubstituted hydrocarbyl. With some embodiments, R⁷ is a trivalentlinking group.

Subscript p of Formula Ia is, independently for each t, from 0 to 4,provided the sum of m and p is at least 1 for each t.

Each L³ of Formula Ia is, independently for each p, represented by thefollowing Formula II,

With Formula II: Y is, independently for each p, a divalent linkinggroup selected from a bond, —O—, and —S—; v and u are eachindependently, for each p, selected from 0 to 5, provided that the sumof v and u is at least 1 for each p that is greater than zero; and Z is,independently for each v, a divalent linking group selected from a bond,—O—, —S—, —C(O)—, —C(O)O—, —OC(O)O—, —S(O)—, —SO₂—, —(NR⁹)—,—N(R⁹)—C(O)—O—, —C(O)—N(R⁹)—, and —Si(R⁹)(R¹⁰)—, in which the R⁹ and R¹⁰groups are each independently selected from hydrogen, hydrocarbyl andsubstituted hydrocarbyl.

The divalent rings of Formula II,

are each independently selected, for each v and each u, fromphenylen-1,4-diyl, or substituted phenylen-1,4-diyl, orcyclohexan-1,4-diyl, or substituted cyclohexan-1,4-diyl, orpyrimidin-2,5-diyl, or substituted pyrimidin-2,5-diyl, orpyridine-2,5-diyl, or substituted pyridine-2,5-diyl, ornaphthalene-2,6-diyl, or substituted naphthalene-2,6-diyl, or1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene-2,6-diyl, or1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene-2,6-diyl in which the aromatic ring issubstituted, or decahydronaphthalene-2,6-diyl, or indane-2,5(6)-diyl, orfluorene-2,-7-diyl, or phenanthrene-2,7-diyl, or9,10-dihydrophenanthrene-2,7-diyl, or (1,3,4)thiadiazol-2,5-diyl, or(1,3)thiazol-2,5-diyl, or (1,3)thiazol-2,4-diyl, or thiophen-2,4-diyl,or thiophen-2,5-diyl, or (1,3)dioxan-2,5-diyl, or piperidin-1,4-diyl, orpiperazin-1,4-diyl.

With further reference to Formula Ia, E is selected from hydrogen,hydrocarbyl and substituted hydrocarbyl each optionally interrupted withat least one of —O—, —S—, —C(O)—, —C(O)O—, —OC(O)O—, —S(O)—, —SO₂—,—N(R⁹)—, and —Si(R⁹)(R¹⁰)—, and combinations of two or more thereof. TheR⁹ and R¹⁰ groups, for example, of the interrupting —N(R⁹)— and—Si(R⁹)(R¹⁰)— groups, are each independently selected from hydrogenhydrocarbyl and substituted hydrocarbyl.

In accordance with some embodiments of the compounds of the presentinvention, a direct link between any two L groups (such as, between L¹and L², L¹ and L³, and/or L² and L³) is free of two heteroatoms linked(or bonded) together. In addition, and with some embodiments of thecompounds of the present invention, a direct link between E and any Lgroup (such as, between E and L¹, E and L², and/or E and L³) is free oftwo heteroatoms linked (or bonded) together.

With further reference to Formula Ia, and in accordance with someembodiments, when L¹ is directly linked to L² (and equivalently, when L²is directly linked to L¹), the direct link therebetween (e.g., a directL¹-L² link) is free of two heteroatoms linked (or bonded) together. WhenL¹ is directly linked to L³ (and equivalently, when L³ is directlylinked to L¹), the direct link therebetween (e.g., a direct L¹-L³ link)is free of two heteroatoms linked (or bonded) together. For eachinstance when L² is directly linked to L³ (and equivalently, when L³ isdirectly linked to L²), in each case the direct link therebetween (e.g.,each direct L²-L³ link) is free of two heteroatoms linked (or bonded)together.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As used herein, the term “actinic radiation” means electromagneticradiation that is capable of causing a response in a material, such as,but not limited to, transforming a photochromic material from one formor state to another form or state, as will be discussed in furtherdetail herein.

As used herein, the term “photochromic” and similar terms, such as“photochromic compound” means having an absorption spectrum for at leastvisible radiation that varies in response to absorption of at leastactinic radiation. Further, as used herein the term “photochromicmaterial” means any substance that is adapted to display photochromicproperties (such as, adapted to have an absorption spectrum for at leastvisible radiation that varies in response to absorption of at leastactinic radiation) and which includes at least one photochromiccompound.

As used herein, the term “photochromic compound” includes, but is notlimited to, thermally reversible photochromic compounds andnon-thermally reversible photochromic compounds. The term “thermallyreversible photochromic compounds/materials” as used herein meanscompounds/materials capable of converting from a first state, forexample a “clear state,” to a second state, for example a “coloredstate,” in response to actinic radiation, and reverting back to thefirst state in response to thermal energy. The term “non-thermallyreversible photochromic compounds/materials” as used herein meanscompounds/materials capable of converting from a first state, forexample a “clear state,” to a second state, for example a “coloredstate,” in response to actinic radiation, and reverting back to thefirst state in response to actinic radiation of substantially the samewavelength(s) as the absorption(s) of the colored state (e.g.,discontinuing exposure to such actinic radiation).

As used herein, the term “photochromic-dichroic” and similar terms, suchas “photochromic-dichroic materials” means compounds and materials thatpossess and/or provide both photochromic properties (i.e., having anabsorption spectrum for at least visible radiation that varies inresponse to at least actinic radiation), and dichroic properties (i.e.,capable of absorbing one of two orthogonal plane polarized components ofat least transmitted radiation more strongly than the other).

As used herein, the term “photosensitive material” means materials thatphysically or chemically respond to electromagnetic radiation,including, but not limited to, phosphorescent materials and fluorescentmaterials.

As used herein, the term “non-photosensitive materials” means materialsthat do not physically or chemically respond to electromagneticradiation, including, but not limited to, static dyes.

As used herein, molecular weight values of polymers, such as weightaverage molecular weights (Mw) and number average molecular weights(Mn), are determined by gel permeation chromatography using appropriatestandards, such as polystyrene standards.

As used herein, polydispersity index (PDI) values represent a ratio ofthe weight average molecular weight (Mw) to the number average molecularweight (Mn) of the polymer (i.e., Mw/Mn).

As used herein, the term “polymer” means homopolymers (e.g., preparedfrom a single monomer species), copolymers (e.g., prepared from at leasttwo monomer species).

As used herein, recitations of “linear or branched” groups, such aslinear or branched C₁-C₂₅ alkyl, are understood to include: a methylenegroup or a methyl group; groups that are linear, such as linear C₂-C₂₅alkyl groups; and groups that are appropriately branched, such asbranched C₃-C₂₅ alkyl groups.

As used herein, the term “halo” and similar terms, such as halo group,halogen, and halogen group means F, Cl, Br and/or I, such as fluoro,chloro, bromo and/or iodo.

Unless otherwise indicated, all ranges or ratios disclosed herein are tobe understood to encompass any and all subranges or subratios subsumedtherein. For example, a stated range or ratio of “1 to 10” should beconsidered to include any and all subranges between (and inclusive of)the minimum value of 1 and the maximum value of 10; that is, allsubranges or subratios beginning with a minimum value of 1 or more andending with a maximum value of 10 or less, such as but not limited to, 1to 6.1, 3.5 to 7.8, and 5.5 to 10.

As used herein, the term “precursor” and related terms, such as“precursors” with regard to the various groups, for example, groups R¹through R⁶ of the compounds of the present invention represented byFormula Ia, and groups of photochromic compounds (e.g., B and B′ groups)that can be included in compositions and articles of the presentinvention, means a group that can be converted in one or more steps tothe final or desired group. For purposes of non-limiting illustration: aprecursor of a hydroxyl group (—OH) includes, but is not limited to, acarboxylic acid ester group (—OC(O)R where R is hydrogen or anoptionally substituted hydrocarbyl); and a precursor of a carboxylicacid ester group (—OC(O)R) includes, but is not limited to, a hydroxylgroup (—OH), which can be reacted, for example, with a carboxylic acidhalide, such as acetic acid chloride (or acetyl chloride).

As used herein, unless otherwise indicated, left-to-rightrepresentations of linking groups, such as divalent linking groups, areinclusive of other appropriate orientations, such as, but not limitedto, right-to-left orientations. For purposes of non-limitingillustration, the left-to-right representation of the divalent linkinggroup

or equivalently —C(O)O—, is inclusive of the right-to-leftrepresentation thereof,

or equivalently —O(O)C— or —OC(O)—.

As used herein, the articles “a,” “an,” and “the” include pluralreferents unless otherwise expressly and unequivocally limited to onereferent.

Unless otherwise indicated, all U.S. patents and published U.S. patentapplications cited herein are incorporated herein by reference in theirentirety and/or with regard to those specific portions thereof citedherein.

Other than in the operating examples, or where otherwise indicated, allnumbers expressing quantities of ingredients, reaction conditions, andso forth used in the specification and claims are to be understood asmodified in all instances by the term “about.”

The compounds of the present invention include groups, such as, but notlimited to, L¹, R¹-R⁷, and R¹¹-R¹³, that can in each case beindependently selected from hydrocarbyl and/or substituted hydrocarbyl.As used herein the term “hydrocarbyl” and similar terms, such as“hydrocarbyl substituent,” means: linear or branched C₁-C₂₅ alkyl (e.g.,linear or branched C₁-C₁₀ alkyl); linear or branched C₂-C₂₅ alkenyl(e.g., linear or branched C₂-C₁₀ alkenyl); linear or branched C₂-C₂₅alkynyl (e.g., linear or branched C₂-C₁₀ alkynyl); C₃-C₁₂ cycloalkyl(e.g., C₃-C₁₀ cycloalkyl); C₅-C₁₈ aryl (including polycyclic arylgroups) (e.g., C₅-C₁₀ aryl); and C₆-C₂₄ aralkyl (e.g., C₆-C₁₀ aralkyl).As used herein the term “hydrocarbyl” is inclusive of“heterohydrocarbyl,” which is a hydrocarbyl in which at least onecarbon, but less than all of the carbons thereof, has been replaced witha heteroatom, such as, but not limited to, O, N, S, and combinationsthereof. Examples of heterohydrocarbyls from which a hydrocarbyl can beselected include, but are not limited to: C₃-C₁₂ heterocycloalkyl(having at least one hetero atom in the cyclic ring); and C₅-C₁₈heteroaryl (having at least one hetero atom in the aromatic ring).

Representative alkyl groups include but are not limited to methyl,ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl,pentyl, neopentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl and decyl. Representativealkenyl groups include but are not limited to vinyl, allyl and propenyl.Representative alkynyl groups include but are not limited to ethynyl,1-propynyl, 2-propynyl, 1-butynyl, and 2-butynyl. Representativecycloalkyl groups include but are not limited to cyclopropyl,cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, and cyclooctyl substituents.Representative heterocycloalkyl groups include but are not limited totetrahydrofuranyl, tetrahydropyranyl and piperidinyl, including but notlimited to piperidin-4-yl. Representative aryl groups include but arenot limited to phenyl, naphthyl, anthracenyl, phenanthrenyl andtriptycenyl. Representative heteroaryl groups include but are notlimited to furanyl, pyranyl and pyridinyl. Representative aralkyl groupsinclude but are not limited to benzyl, and phenethyl.

The term “substituted hydrocarbyl” as used herein means a hydrocarbylgroup in which at least one hydrogen thereof has been replaced orsubstituted with a group that is other than hydrogen, such as, but notlimited to, halo groups, hydroxyl groups, ether groups, thiol groups,thio ether groups, carboxylic acid groups, carboxylic acid ester groups,phosphoric acid groups, phosphoric acid ester groups, sulfonic acidgroups, sulfonic acid ester groups, nitro groups, cyano groups,hydrocarbyl groups (including, but not limited to: alkyl; alkenyl;alkynyl; cycloalkyl; heterocycloalkyl, such as piperidinyl, includingbut not limited to piperidin-4-yl, optionally substituted with, forexample, at least one linear or branched C₁-C₁₀ alkyl group; aryl,including hydroxyl substituted aryl, such as phenol, optionallysubstituted with, for example, at least one linear or branched C₁-C₁₀alkyl group; heteroaryl; and aralkyl groups), and amine groups, such as—N(R₁₁′)(R₁₂′) where R₁₁′ and R₁₂′ are each independently selected fromhydrogen, hydrocarbyl and substituted hydrocarbyl.

For purposes of non-limiting illustration, the hydrocarbyl, of asubstituted hydrocarbyl, can be selected from one or more of thehydrocarbyl groups described previously herein, such as a C₃-C₁₂heterocycloalkyl group, such as piperidinyl, which can be substitutedwith one or more of the substituting groups described previously herein,such as one or more linear or branched C₁-C₂₅ alkyl groups. For purposesof further non-limiting illustration, the hydrocarbyl, of a substitutedhydrocarbyl, can be selected from one or more of the hydrocarbyl groupsdescribed previously herein, such as an aryl group, such as phenyl,which can be substituted with one or more of the substituting groupsdescribed previously herein, such as one or more hydroxyl groups and/orone or more linear or branched C₁-C₂₅ alkyl groups.

The term “substituted hydrocarbyl” is inclusive of halohydrocarbyl (orhalo substituted hydrocarbyl) substituents. The term “halohydrocarbyl”as used herein, and similar terms, such as halo substituted hydrocarbyl,means that at least one hydrogen atom of the hydrocarbyl (e.g., of thealkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl,and aralkyl groups) is replaced with a halogen atom selected fromchlorine, bromine, fluorine and iodine. The degree of halogenation canrange from at least one hydrogen atom but less than all hydrogen atomsbeing replaced by a halogen atom (e.g., a fluoromethyl group), to fullhalogenation (perhalogenation) in which all replaceable hydrogen atomson the hydrocarbyl group have each been replaced by a halogen atom(e.g., trifluoromethyl or perfluoromethyl). Correspondingly, the term“perhalohydrocarbyl group” as used herein means a hydrocarbyl group inwhich all replaceable hydrogens have been replaced with a halogen.Examples of perhalohydrocarbyl groups include, but are not limited to,perhalogenated phenyl groups and perhalogenated alkyl groups.

The hydrocarbyl and substituted hydrocarbyl groups from which thevarious groups described herein may each be independently selected, suchas, but not limited to, L¹, R¹-R⁷, and R¹¹-R¹³, can in each case beindependently and optionally interrupted with at least one of —O—, —S—,—C(O)—, —C(O)O—, —OC(O)O—, —S(O)—, —SO₂—, —N(R⁹)— and —Si(R⁹)(R¹⁰). Asused herein, by interrupted with at least one of —O—, —S—, —C(O)—,—C(O)O—, —OC(O)O—, —S(O)—, —SO₂—, —N(R⁹)—, and —Si(R⁹)(R¹⁰), means thatat least one carbon of, but less than all of the carbons of, thehydrocarbyl group or substituted hydrocarbyl group, is in each caseindependently replaced with one of the recited divalent non-carbonlinking groups. The hydrocarbyl and substituted hydrocarbyl groups canbe interrupted with two or more of the above recited linking groups,which can be adjacent to each other or separated by one or more carbons.For purposes of non-limiting illustration, a combination of adjacent—C(O)— and —N(R⁹)— can provide a divalent amide linking or interruptinggroup, —C(O)—N(R⁹)—. For purposes of further non-limiting illustration,a combination of adjacent —N(R⁹)—, —C(O)— and —O— can provide a divalentcarbamate (or urethane) linking or interrupting group, —N(R⁹)—C(O)—O—,where R⁹ is hydrogen.

The compounds of the present invention, for example as represented byFormula Ia, and the various groups thereof will be described in furtherdetail herein as follows.

With some embodiments of the present invention, each R¹ of the compoundrepresented by Formula Ia is independently selected from hydrogen,linear or branched C₁-C₂₅ alkyl, linear or branched C₂-C₂₅ alkenyl, eachoptionally interrupted with a group selected from cyclohexylen-1,4-diyl,—O—, —C(O)—, and —Si(CH₃)₂—, and each optionally having at least onehydrogen replaced with F. With some further embodiments, each R¹ ofFormula Ia is independently selected from hydrogen, or linear orbranched C₁-C₈ alkyl, such as methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, iso-propyl,n-butyl, iso-butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, and octyl (includingstructural isomers thereof, and at least partially fluorinated speciesthereof, such as —CF₃).

With some embodiments of the present invention, each of the R², R³, R⁴and R⁵ groups of Formula Ia are in each case independently selectedfrom, hydrogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₀ alkyl. With some furtherembodiments, each of the R², R³, R⁴ and R⁵ groups of Formula Ia are ineach case independently selected from linear or branched C₁-C₆ alkyl,such as methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, iso-propyl, n-butyl, iso-butyl, pentyl,and hexyl (including structural isomers thereof).

With some embodiments of the present invention, each R⁶ of the compoundrepresented by Formula Ia is in each case selected from hydrogen, linearor branched C₁-C₂₅ alkyl, linear or branched C₂-C₂₅ alkenyl, eachoptionally interrupted with a group selected from cyclohexylen-1,4-diyl,—O—, —C(O)—, and —Si(CH₃)₂—, and each optionally having at least onehydrogen replaced with F. In accordance with some further embodiments,each R⁶ of Formula Ia is in each case selected from hydrogen, and linearor branched C₁-C₈ alkyl, such as methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, iso-propyl,n-butyl, iso-butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, and octyl (includingstructural isomers thereof, and at least partially fluorinated speciesthereof, such as —CF₃).

According to some embodiments of the present invention, each R¹, R², R³,R⁴ and R⁵ are in each case methyl, and each R⁶ is in each case hydrogen.With such embodiments, the piperidinyl portions of the compoundrepresented by Formula Ia, can each be represented by the followingFormula A,

The multivalent linking group R⁷ of Formula Ia is, in some embodiments,selected from multivalent C₁-C₂₅ linear or branched alkyl; multivalentoptionally substituted C₃-C₁₂ cycloalkyl; multivalent optionallysubstituted C₃-C₁₂ heterocycloalkyl; multivalent optionally substitutedaryl; multivalent optionally substituted heteroaryl, and combinationsthereof. The multivalent linking group R⁷ of Formula Ia can optionallyfurther include at least one divalent linking group selected from—CH═CH—, —C≡C—, —O—, —S—, —O(O)—, —C(O)O—, —OC(O)O—, —S(O)—, and —SO₂—,and combinations of two or more thereof.

With some embodiments, the multivalent linking group R⁷ of Formula Ia isselected from multivalent C₁-C₁₂ linear or branched alkyl. In addition,with some embodiments, the multivalent linking group R⁷ can optionallyfurther include at least one divalent linking group selected from —O—,—C(O)—, —C(O)O—, —OC(O)O—, and combinations of two or more thereof.

With some embodiments of the present invention, multivalent linkinggroup R⁷ is a dioic acid diester represented by the following Formula B,

With reference to the multivalent linking group represented by FormulaB, the piperidinyl groups of the compound represented by Formula Ia arebonded to the ester oxygens thereof, and L¹ is bonded to R¹⁴ thereof.More particularly, R¹⁴ of Formula B is a multivalent linking groupselected from, multivalent C₁-C₁₂ linear or branched alkyl, multivalentoptionally substituted C₃-C₁₂ cycloalkyl, multivalent optionallysubstituted C₃-C₁₂ heterocycloalkyl, multivalent optionally substitutedaryl, multivalent optionally substituted heteroaryl, and combinationsthereof. The optional substituents of the various groups from whichmultivalent linking group R¹⁴ of multivalent linking group R⁷represented by Formula B can be selected include, but are not limitedto, hydrocarbyl and substituted hydrocarbyl each optionally interruptedwith at least one of —O—, —S—, —C(O)—, —C(O)O—, —OC(O)O—, —S(O)—, —SO₂—,—N(R⁹)—, and —Si(R⁹)(R¹⁰)— wherein R⁹ and R¹⁰ are each independentlyselected from hydrogen, hydrocarbyl and substituted hydrocarbyl, andcombinations of two or more thereof. With some embodiments, the optionalsubstituents of R¹⁴ can be selected from substituents including, but notlimited to, linear or branched C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, linear or branched C₁-C₁₀alkenyl, linear or branched C₁-C₁₀ alkynyl, C₃-C₁₂ cycloalkyl, C₃-C₁₂heterocycloalkyl (e.g., tetrahydrofuranyl, tetrahydropyranyl andpiperidinyl), aryl (e.g., phenyl, benzyl, naphthyl, and anthracenyl),heteroaryl (e.g., furanyl, pyranyl and pyridinyl), halogen (e.g., F, Cl,Br and I), and combinations of two or more thereof.

In accordance with some embodiments, multivalent linking group R¹⁴ ofFormula B is selected from multivalent methyl or multivalent ethyl,represented by the following Formulas B1 and B2,

One or more hydrogens of the multivalent linking group R¹⁴ representedby Formulas B1 and B2 can independently be replaced with a substituentselected from those substituents as described previously herein withregard to multivalent linking group R¹⁴.

With some embodiments in which multivalent linking group R⁷ is a dioicacid diester represented by Formula B, the compounds of the presentinvention can be represented by the following Formula Ib,

With reference to Formula Ib, R¹-R⁶, L¹, L², m, L³, p, t, and E are eachindependently as described previously and further herein with regard toFormula Ia.

With further reference to Formula Ib, when polyvalent linking group R¹⁴is polyvalent methyl, the compound of the present invention can berepresented by the following Formula Ic,

With reference to Formula Ib, R¹-R⁶, L¹, L², m, L³, p, t, and E are eachindependently as described previously and further herein with regard toFormula Ia. The R¹⁶ group of the compound represented by Formula Ic canbe selected from hydrogen, and those substituents as describedpreviously herein with regard to polyvalent linking group R¹⁴.

The divalent linking group L¹ of Formula Ia, with some embodiments, isselected from a bond, or linear or branched C₁-C₂₅ alkyl, which canoptionally further include at least one divalent linking group selectedfrom —O—, —S—, —C(O)—, —C(O)O—, —OC(O)O—, —S(O)—, and —SO₂—, andcombinations of two or more thereof. With further embodiments, divalentlinking group L¹ is selected from a bond, or linear or branched C₁-C₁₀alkyl. For example, and with some embodiments, L¹ is selected fromdivalent propyl, divalent isopropyl, divalent butyl, divalent isobutyl,divalent sec-butyl, divalent tert-butyl, divalent pentyl, divalentneopentyl, divalent hexyl, divalent heptyl, divalent octyl, divalentnonyl and divalent decyl, including structural isomers thereof.

With further reference to the compound represented by Formula Ia, atleast one L² and/or at least one L³ is present. With some embodiments,at least one L³ is present, and optionally at least one L² group ispresent in the compound represented by Formula Ia. With someembodiments, at least one L³ is present, and no L² groups are present inthe compound represented by Formula Ia. In accordance with someembodiments of the present invention, at least one L² is present, and atleast one L³ is present, in which case m is at least 1 for at least onet, and p is at least one for at least one t.

The L² segments of the compound represented by Formula Ia can bedescribed as flexible segments or moieties, relative to the L³ segmentswhich can be described as rigid segments or moieties. The terms flexiblewith regard to L², and rigid with regard to L³ are relative to eachother.

With some embodiments, L² of Formula Ia, is independently for each m,selected from divalent linear or branched C₁-C₂₅ alkyl (e.g., divalentlinear or branched C₁-C₂₅ alkylene), which is optionally interruptedwith at least one of —O—, —C(O)O—, and —OC(O)O—, and combinations of twoor more thereof. In accordance with further embodiments, L² of FormulaIa, is independently for each m, selected from divalent linear orbranched C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, which is optionally interrupted with at least oneof —O—, —C(O)O—, and —OC(O)O—.

According to some embodiments, at least one L² is selected from at leastone group represented by the following Formulas C, D, and/or E,—(CH₂)_(w)—  Formula C—O—(CH₂)_(w)—  Formula D—O—(CH₂)_(w)—O—  Formula EWith reference to Formulas C, D, and E each w is independently 1 to 25,or 1 to 10, or 1 to 8, or 1 to 6.

In accordance with some further embodiments, at least one L² is selectedfrom a group represented by the following Formula F,

With reference to Formula F, w is independently, for each z, 1 to 25, or1 to 10, or 1 to 8, or 1 to 6, or 1 to 5, and z is from 1 to 25, or 1 to10, or 1 to 8, or 1 to 6. When selected from groups represented byFormula F, L² can be derived from cyclic lactones, such as6-caprolactone when w is 5.

According to some embodiments, at least one L² is a combination of: (i)a group represented by Formula F; and (ii) at least one grouprepresented by Formula C, Formula D, and/or Formula E.

With some embodiments of the present invention, Z of Formula II of L³is, independently for each v, selected from a bond, —O— and —C(O)O—.

With reference to Formula II of L³, the optional substituents ofdivalent ring-A and divalent ring-B can in each case be selected fromsubstituents including, but not limited to, hydrocarbyl and substitutedhydrocarbyl each optionally interrupted with at least one of —O—, —S—,—C(O)—, —C(O)O—, —OC(O)O—, —S(O)—, —SO₂—, —N(R⁹)—, and —Si(R⁹)(R¹⁰)—wherein R⁹ and R¹⁰ are each independently selected from hydrogen,hydrocarbyl and substituted hydrocarbyl, and combinations of two or morethereof. With some embodiments, the optional substituents of divalentring-A and divalent ring-B can in each case be selected fromsubstituents including, but not limited to, linear or branched C₁-C₂₅alkyl, linear or branched C₁-C₂₅ alkenyl, linear or branched C₁-C₂₅alkynyl, C₃-C₁₂ cycloalkyl, C₃-C₁₂ heterocycloalkyl (e.g.,tetrahydrofuranyl, tetrahydropyranyl and piperidinyl), aryl (e.g.,phenyl, benzyl, naphthyl, and anthracenyl), heteroaryl (e.g., furanyl,pyranyl and pyridinyl), halogen (e.g., F, Cl, Br and I), andcombinations of two or more thereof.

With further reference to Formula II of L³, the divalent rings,

are, with some embodiments, each independently selected, for each v (fordivalent ring-A) and each u (for divalent ring-B), fromphenylen-1,4-diyl, or substituted phenylen-1,4-diyl, orcyclohexan-1,4-diyl, or substituted cyclohexan-1,4-diyl. With somefurther embodiments: at least one divalent ring-A is selected fromphenylen-1,4-diyl, or substituted phenylen-1,4-diyl; and at least onedivalent ring-B is selected from phenylen-1,4-diyl, or substitutedphenylen-1,4-diyl.

As used herein, the term “divalent ring-A” means a divalent ringrepresented by the following formula,

In addition, as used herein, the term “divalent ring-B” means a divalentring represented by the following formula,

In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, each L³ isindependently selected from (or L³ is independently selected for each pfrom) the following Formulas V(A) through V(J),

According to some embodiments of the present invention, E of thecompound represented by Formula Ia is selected from hydrogen, linear orbranched C₁-C₂₅ alkyl optionally interrupted with at least one of —O—and —C(O)O—, and linear or branched C₂-C₂₅ alkenyl optionallyinterrupted with at least one of —O— and —C(O)O—. With some furtherembodiments, E is selected from hydrogen and linear or branched C₁-C₁₀alkyl optionally interrupted with at least one of —O— and —C(O)O—.According to some additional embodiments, E is selected from hydrogenand linear or branched C₁-C₁₀ alkyl.

The group E of Formula Ia, with some embodiments, can include a divalentgroup selected from at least one divalent group represented by FormulasC, D, E, and/or F, as described previously herein with reference to L².

The group E of the compound represented by Formula Ia can, in someembodiments, be substituted with at least one group represented by thefollowing Formula G,

With reference to Formula G, R¹⁵ is selected from hydrogen and linear orbranched C₁-C₈ alkyl, such as methyl and ethyl.

The compounds of the present invention represented by Formula Ia can, insome embodiments, include at least one additional piperidinyl grouprepresented by the following Formula H,

With reference to Formula H, R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, and L¹ are eachindependently as described and defined previously herein with referenceto Formula Ia.

Additionally or alternatively to including at least one additionalpiperidinyl group represented by Formula H, the compounds of the presentinvention represented by Formula Ia can, in some embodiments, include atleast one hindered phenol group represented by the following FormulaIII,

With reference to Formula III: L⁴ is independently selected from thosegroups as described and defined previously herein with regard to L¹ ofFormula Ia, for example, L⁴ is a divalent linking group selected from abond, divalent hydrocarbyl and divalent substituted hydrocarbyl; R¹¹ andR¹² are each independently selected from hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, andsubstituted hydrocarbyl, provided that at least one of R¹¹ and R¹² isselected from hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl; n is 0, 1 or 2;and R¹³ is independently for each n selected from hydrocarbyl andsubstituted hydrocarbyl.

With some embodiments, at least one of: (i) E, which can be selectedfrom hydrocarbyl, can be substituted with at least one piperidinyl grouprepresented by Formula H, and/or E can be substituted with at least onehindered phenol group represented by Formula III; and/or (ii) at leastone L² can be substituted with at least one piperidinyl grouprepresented by Formula H, and/or at least one L² can be substituted withat least one hindered phenol group represented by Formula III; and/or(iii) at least one L³ can be substituted with at least one piperidinylgroup represented by Formula H, and/or at least one L³ can besubstituted with at least one hindered phenol group represented byFormula III; and/or R⁷ can be further substituted with at least onepiperidinyl group represented by Formula H, and/or R⁷ can be furthersubstituted with at least one hindered phenol group represented byFormula III.

With some embodiments, when E is directly linked to L¹ (andequivalently, when L¹ is directly linked to E) of Formulas H and/or III,the direct link therebetween (e.g., each direct E-L¹ link) is free oftwo heteroatoms linked (or bonded) together. With some additionalembodiments, when L² is directly linked to L¹ (and equivalently, when L¹is directly linked to L²) of Formulas H and/or III, the direct linktherebetween (e.g., each direct L²-12 link) is free of two heteroatomslinked (or bonded) together. With some further embodiments, when L³ isdirectly linked to L¹ (and equivalently, when L¹ is directly linked toL³) of Formulas H and/or III, the direct link therebetween (e.g., eachdirect L³-L¹ link) is free of two heteroatoms linked (or bonded)together.

In accordance with further embodiments of the present invention, R⁷ isfurther substituted with a hindered phenol group represented by FormulaIII, as described previously herein.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, E, which can beselected from hydrocarbyl, is substituted with a group represented bythe following Formula IVa,

With reference to the group represented by Formula IVa, R¹, R², R³, R⁴,R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, and L¹ are in each case independently as described anddefined previously herein with regard to the compound represented byFormula Ia. With further reference to Formula IVa, and in accordancewith some embodiments, when E is directly linked to L¹ of Formula IVa(and equivalently, when L¹ is directly linked to E), the direct linktherebetween (e.g., a direct E-L¹ link) is free of two heteroatomslinked (or bonded) together.

Compounds according to the present invention represented by Formula Iamore particularly include, but are not limited to, compounds representedby the following Formulas VI(A) through VI(L),

With reference to the compounds represented by Formulas VI(A) throughVI(L), R¹, R², R³, R⁴, and R⁵ are in each case independently selectedfrom those groups as described previously herein with reference toFormula Ia, and R¹¹ and R¹² are in each case independently selected fromthose groups as described previously herein with reference to thehindered phenol group represented by Formula III. With some embodimentsof the present invention and with further reference to the compoundsrepresented by Formulas VI(A) through VI(L), R¹, R², R³, R⁴, and R⁵ arein each case methyl, and R¹¹ and R¹² are in each case tertiary butyl.

With some embodiments, compounds according to the present invention,including those represented by Formula Ia, are mesogenic compounds,which include at least one mesogen segment (or unit or group). Asdiscussed previously herein, a mesogen is the fundamental unit (orsegment or group) of a liquid crystal material that induces, and/or isinduced into, structural order amongst and between liquid crystals, suchas liquid crystal materials that are together present in a liquidcrystal composition. With reference to Formula Ia, the L³ segment orsegments (or unit/units) typically represent the mesogen (or mesogenic)segments or portions of the compounds of the present invention. Sincethe compounds of the present invention include at least two stabilizergroups, such as the piperidinyl groups of the compound represented byFormula Ia, the compounds of the present invention can be described asmesogenic stabilizers when also including at least one mesogen segmentor group.

The present invention also relates to liquid crystal compositions thatinclude at least one compound represented by Formula Ia. Liquid crystalcompositions according to the present invention, in some embodiments, inaddition to at least one compound represented by Formula Ia, can furtherinclude at least one of a photochromic compound, a dichroic compound,and/or a photochromic-dichroic compound.

Liquid crystal compositions according to the present invention canoptionally further include at least one additive. Examples of suchoptional additives include, but are not limited to, liquid crystalmaterials, liquid crystal property control additives, non-linear opticalmaterials, dyes (e.g., static dyes), alignment promoters, kineticenhancers, photoinitiators, thermal initiators, surfactants,polymerization inhibitors, solvents, light stabilizers, thermalstabilizers, mold release agents, rheology control agents, gelators,leveling agents, free radical scavengers, coupling agents, tilt controladditives, block or non-block polymeric materials, and/or adhesionpromoters.

The photochromic compounds that can be present in the liquid crystalcompositions of the present invention can each independently have atleast one photochromic group selected from, for example, thermallyreversible pyrans, non-thermally reversible pyrans, thermally reversibleoxazines, non-thermally reversible oxazines, thermally reversiblefulgides, and/or non-thermally reversible fulgides. Photochromiccompounds present in the liquid crystal compositions of the presentinvention, can alternatively or additionally include inorganicphotochromic materials.

Examples of thermally reversible photochromic pyrans from whichphotochromic compound(s) can be chosen and that can be used with variousembodiments of the present invention, such as the liquid crystalcompositions of the present invention, include, but are not limited to:benzopyrans; naphthopyrans, e.g., naphtho[1,2-b]pyrans,naphtho[2,1-b]pyrans; indeno-fused naphthopyrans, such as thosedisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,645,767 at col. 2, line 16 to col. 12, line57; heterocyclic-fused naphthopyrans, such as those disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 5,723,072 at col. 2, line 27 to col. 15, line 55, U.S. Pat. No.5,698,141 at col. 2, line 11 to col. 19, line 45, U.S. Pat. No.6,153,126 at col. 2, line 26 to col. 8, line 60, and U.S. Pat. No.6,022,497 at col. 2, line 21 to col. 11, line 46;spiro-9-fluoreno[1,2-b]pyrans; phenanthropyrans; quinopyrans;fluoroanthenopyrans; spiropyrans, e.g.,spiro(benzindoline)naphthopyrans, spiro(indoline)benzopyrans,spiro(indoline)naphthopyrans, spiro(indoline)quinopyrans andspiro(indoline)pyrans. Additional examples of naphthopyrans and relatedorganic photochromic substances are described, for example, in U.S. Pat.No. 5,658,501 at col. 1, line 64 to col. 13, line 17. The pertinentcited portions of the preceding U.S. Patents are incorporated herein byreference. Spiro(indoline)pyrans are also described in the text,Techniques in Chemistry, Volume III, “Photochromism”, Chapter 3, GlennH. Brown, Editor, John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, 1971.

Examples of thermally reversible photochromic oxazines from whichphotochromic compounds) can be chosen and that can be used with variousembodiments of the present invention, such as the liquid crystalcompositions of the present invention, include, but are not limited to,benzoxazines, naphthoxazines, and spiro-oxazines, e.g.,spiro(indoline)naphthoxazines, spiro(indoline)pyridobenzoxazines,spiro(benzindoline) pyridobenzoxazines,spiro(benzindoline)naphthoxazines, spiro(indoline)benzoxazines,spiro(indoline)fluoranthenoxazine, and spiro(indoline)quinoxazine.

Examples of thermally reversible photochromic fulgides from whichphotochromic compounds) can be chosen and that can be used with variousembodiments of the present invention, such as the liquid crystalcompositions of the present invention, include, but are not limited to:fulgimides, such as, 3-furyl and 3-thienyl fulgimides; fulgides, such as3-furyl and 3-thienyl fulgides, which are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.4,931,220 at column 2, line 51 to column 10, line 7, and mixtures of anyof the aforementioned photochromic materials/compounds. Examples offurther non-thermally reversible photochromic compounds that can be usedwith various embodiments of the present invention, such as the liquidcrystal compositions of the present invention include, but are notlimited to the photochromic compounds disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.7,342,112 at column 69, line 62 through column 71, line 20.

Examples of inorganic photochromic compounds from which photochromiccompound(s) can be chosen and that can be used with various embodimentsof the present invention, such as the liquid crystal compositions of thepresent invention, include, but are not limited to: metal halides, suchas, silver halide, cadmium halide and/or copper halide; and inorganicphotochromic materials may be prepared by the addition of europium(II)and/or cerium(II) to a mineral glass, such as a soda-silica glass. Withsome embodiments, the inorganic photochromic materials can be added tomolten glass and formed into microparticles that are incorporated intothe compositions of the present invention. The glass particulates can beformed by any of a number of various methods known in the art.Additional examples of suitable inorganic photochromic materials arefurther described in Kirk Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology,4th ed., volume 6, pages 322-325.

The compositions of the present invention can include photosensitivematerials, such as dyes, and in particular non-photochromic dyesincluding, but not limited to, luminescent dyes, such as phosphorescentdyes and/or a fluorescent dyes. While not intending to be bound by anytheory, after activation, phosphorescent dyes and fluorescent dyes emitvisible radiation when one or more activated/excited electrons thereoftransitions from a higher to a lower electronic state. One differencebetween the two dye types is that the emission of luminescence afterexposure to radiation from the fluorescent dye occurs sooner than thatfrom a phosphorescent dye.

Examples of fluorescent dyes that can be used with compositions of thepresent invention include, but are not limited to, anthracenestetracenes, pentacenes, rhodamines, benzophenones, coumarins,fluoresceins, perylenes, and mixtures thereof. Fluorescent dyes that canbe used with compositions of the present invention are described infurther detail in, for example, Haugland, R. P. Molecular ProbesHandbook for Fluorescent Probes and Research Chemicals, 6th ed., 1996.

Examples of phosphorescent dyes that can be used with compositions ofthe present invention include, but are not limited to, metal-ligandcomplexes such as tris(2-phenylpyridine)iridium [Ir(ppy)₃] and2,3,7,8,12,13,17,18-octaethyl-21H,23H-porphyrin platinum(II) [PtOEP];and organic phosphorescent dyes such as eosin(2′,4′,5′,7′-tetrabromofluorescein), 2,2′-bipyridine and erthrosin(2′,4′,5′,7′-tetraiodofluorescein).

Examples of non-photosensitive materials that can be present in thecompositions of the present invention include, but are not limited to,fixed-tint dyes (or static dyes). Examples of suitable fixed-tint dyesinclude, but are not limited to, nitrobenzene dyes, azo dyes,anthraquinone dyes, naphthoquinone dyes, benzoquinone dyes,phenothiazine dyes, indigoid dyes, xanthene dyes, pheanthridine dyes,phthalocyanin dyes, and dyes derived from triarylmethane. Fixed-tintdyes, such as those classes and examples cited herein, can be used aloneor as mixtures with other fixed-tint dyes and/or other chromophoriccompounds, such as photochromic compounds.

With some embodiments of the present invention, dyes can be used incombination with other chemical compounds to form thermochromicmaterials. Examples of dyes, that can be used in combination with otherchemical compounds to form thermochromic materials, include, but are notlimited to: substituted phenylmethanes and fluorans, such as3,3′-dimethoxyfluoran (yellow); 3-chloro-6-phenylaminofluoran (orange);3-diethylamine-6-methyl-7-chlorofluoran (vermilion);3-diethyl-7,8-benzofluoran (pink); Crystal Violet lactone (blue);3,3′,3″-tris(p-dimethylaminophenyl)phthalide (purplish blue); MalachiteGreen lactone (green); 3,3-bis(pdimethylaminophenyl)phthalide (green);3-diethylmaino-6-methyl-7-phenylaminofluoran (black); indolylphthalides; spiropyrans; coumarins; fulgides; etc. Additional classes ofthermochromic materials include, but are not limited to, cholestericliquid crystals and mixtures of cholesteric liquid crystals and nematicliquid crystals.

With some embodiments of the compositions according to the presentinvention, the photochromic compound can include at least twophotochromic groups, in which the photochromic groups are linked to oneanother by way of linking group substituents on the individualphotochromic groups. For example, the photochromic groups can bepolymerizable photochromic groups, or photochromic groups that areadapted to be compatible with a host material, which can be referred toherein as “compatibilized photochromic groups.” Examples ofpolymerizable photochromic groups include, but are not limited to, thosedisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,113,814 at column 2, line 24 to column 22,line 7. Examples of compatibilized photochromic groups include, but arenot limited to, those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,555,028 at column 2,line 40 to column 24, line 56.

Examples of additional photochromic groups and complementaryphotochromic groups, that can be included with or used in conjunctionwith the compositions of the present invention include, but are notlimited to, those described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,080,338 at column 2, line21 to column 14, line 43; U.S. Pat. No. 6,136,968 at column 2, line 43to column 20, line 67; U.S. Pat. No. 6,296,785 at column 2, line 47 tocolumn 31, line 5; U.S. Pat. No. 6,348,604 at column 3, line 26 tocolumn 17, line 15; U.S. Pat. No. 6,353,102 at column 1, line 62 tocolumn 11, line 64; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,630,597 at column 2, line 16 tocolumn 16, line 23.

With some embodiments, the liquid crystal compositions of the presentinvention can include a photochromic compound and/or aphotochromic-dichroic compound that in each case is independentlyselected from indeno-fused naphthopyrans, naphtho[1,2-b]pyrans,naphtho[2,1-b]pyrans, spirofluoroeno[1,2-b]pyrans, phenanthropyrans,quinolinopyrans, fluoroanthenopyrans, spiropyrans, benzoxazines,naphthoxazines, spiro(indoline)naphthoxazines,spiro(indoline)pyridobenzoxazines, spiro(indoline)fluoranthenoxazines,spiro(indoline)quinoxazines, fulgides, fulgimides, diarylethenes,diarylalkylethenes, diarylalkenylethenes, non-thermally reversiblephotochromic compounds, and mixtures thereof.

Photochromic compounds and photochromic-dichroic compounds that can beincluded in the compositions of the present invention, include,indeno-fused naphthopyrans represented by the following Formula IX, inwhich the ring atoms are numbered as shown,

The indeno-fused naphthopyran represented by Formula IX can be referredto as an indeno[2′,3′:3,4]naphtho[1,2-b]pyran. Subscript x and subscripty of Formula IX can each independently be from 1 to 4. Each R¹⁷ for eachx, each R¹⁸ for each y, R¹⁸, R²⁸, B and B′ can each be independentlyselected from hydrogen, hydrocarbyl groups and substituted hydrocarbylgroups, which each can be optionally interrupted with at least one of—O—, —S—, —C(O)—, —C(O)O—, —S(O)—, —SO₂—, —Si(R⁹)R¹⁰)— —N(R₁₁′)—, whereR₁₁′ is selected from hydrocarbyl.

With some embodiments of the present invention, R¹⁷ for each x, and R¹⁸for each y, are in each case independently selected from: a reactivesubstituent; a compatibilizing substituent; halogen selected from fluoroand chloro; C₁-C₂₀ alkyl; C₃-C₁₀ cycloalkyl; substituted orunsubstituted phenyl; or —O—R₁₀′ or —C(O)—R₁₀′ or —C(O)—OR₁₀′, whereinR₁₀′ is hydrogen, C₁-C₂₀ alkyl, phenyl(C₁-C₂₀)alkyl, mono(C₁-C₂₀)alkylsubstituted phenyl(C₁-C₂₀)alkyl, mono(C₁-C₂₀)alkoxy substitutedphenyl(C₁-C₂₀)alkyl, (C₁-C₂₀)alkoxy(C₂-C₂₀)alkyl, C₃-C₁₀ cycloalkyl, ormono(C₁-C₂₀)alkyl substituted C₃-C₁₀ cycloalkyl. The phenyl substituents(i.e., the substituents of the substituted phenyl) can be selected fromhydroxyl, halogen, carbonyl, C₁-C₂₀ alkoxycarbonyl, cyano,halo(C₁-C₂₀)alkyl, C₁-C₂₀ alkyl or C₁-C₂₀ alkoxy.

With some embodiments of the present invention, R¹⁷ for each x, and R¹⁸for each y, are in each case independently selected from: C₁-C₆ alkyl;C₃-C₇ cycloalkyl; substituted or unsubstituted phenyl; —OR₁₀′ or—OC(═O)R₁₀′, wherein R₁₀′ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, phenyl(C₁-C₃)alkyl,mono(C₁-C₆)alkyl substituted phenyl(C₁-C₃)alkyl, mono(C₁-C₆)alkoxysubstituted phenyl(C₁-C₃)alkyl, (C₁-C₆)alkoxy(C₂-C₄)alkyl, C₃-C₇cycloalkyl, or mono(C₁-C₄)alkyl substituted C₃-C₇ cycloalkyl. The phenylsubstituents (i.e., the substituents of the substituted phenyl) can bemore particularly selected from hydroxyl, halogen, carbonyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonyl, cyano, halo(C₁-C₆)alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkyl or C₁-C₆ alkoxy.

Alternatively or in addition to the previously recited classes andexamples, R¹⁷ for each x, and R¹⁸ for each y, are in each caseindependently selected from, —N(R₁₁′)R₁₂′, wherein R₁₁′ and R₁₂′ areeach independently hydrogen, C₁-C₂₀ alkyl, phenyl, naphthyl, furanyl,benzofuran-2-yl, benzofuran-3-yl, thienyl, benzothien-2-yl,benzothien-3-yl, dibenzofuranyl, dibenzothienyl, benzopyridyl,fluorenyl, C₁-C₂₀ alkylaryl, C₃-C₁₀ cycloalkyl, C₄-C₂₀ bicycloalkyl,C₅-C₂₀ tricycloalkyl or C₁-C₂₀ alkoxyalkyl, wherein said aryl group isphenyl or naphthyl, or R₁₁′ and R₁₂′ come together with the nitrogenatom to form a C₃-C₂₀ hetero-bicycloalkyl ring or a C₄-C₂₀hetero-tricycloalkyl ring.

Further alternatively or in addition to the previously recited classesand examples, R¹⁷ for each x, and R¹⁸ for each y, are in each caseindependently selected from, a nitrogen containing ring represented bythe following graphic Formula IXA,

With the nitrogen ring substituent represented by general Formula IXA,each —Y— is independently chosen for each occurrence from —CH₂₋,—CH(R₁₃′)—, —C(R₁₃′)₂—, —CH(aryl)-, —C(aryl)₂-, and —C(R₁₃′)(aryl)-, andZ is —Y—, —O—, —S—, —S(O)—, —SO₂—, —NH—, —N(R₁₃′)—, or —N(aryl)-,wherein each R₁₃′ is independently C₁-C₂₀ alkyl (e.g., C₁-C₆ alkyl),each aryl is independently phenyl or naphthyl, m is an integer 1, 2 or3, and p is an integer 0, 1, 2, or 3 and provided that when p is 0, Z is—Y—.

Additionally or alternatively, R¹⁷ for each x, and R¹⁸ for each y, canin each case also be independently selected from a nitrogen containingring substituent represented by general formula IXB and/or generalformula IXC:

For the nitrogen containing ring substituents represented by generalformulas IXB and IXC, R₁₅, R₁₆, and R₁₇ are each independently hydrogen,C₁-C₂₀ alkyl (e.g., C₁-C₆ alkyl), phenyl, or naphthyl, or the groups R₁₅and R₁₆ together form a ring of 5 to 8 carbon atoms and each Rd isindependently for each occurrence selected from C₁-C₂₀ alkyl (e.g.,C₁-C₆ alkyl), C₁-C₂₀ alkoxy (e.g., C₁-C₆ alkoxy), fluoro or chloro, andQ is an integer 0, 1, 2, or 3.

Further alternatively or additionally, R¹⁷ for each x, and R¹⁸ for eachy, can in each case also be independently selected from, unsubstituted,mono-, or di-substituted C₄-C₁₈ spirobicyclic amine, or unsubstituted,mono-, and di-substituted C₄-C₁₈ spirotricyclic amine, wherein thesubstituents are independently aryl, C₁-C₂₀ alkyl (e.g., C₁-C₆ alkyl),C₁-C₂₀ alkoxy (e.g., C₁-C₆ alkoxy), or phenyl(C₁-C₂₀)alkyl (e.g.,phenyl(C₁-C₆)alkyl).

With some embodiments of the present invention, two adjacent R¹⁷ groups,and/or two adjacent R¹⁸ groups, can together form a group represented bythe following general formula IXD or general formula IXE,

With the groups represented by general formulas IXD and IXE, T and T′are each independently oxygen or the group —NR₁₁—, where R₁₁, R₁₅, andR₁₆ are each as set forth and described previously herein.

With some embodiments, R¹⁷ for each x, and R¹⁶ for each y, can in eachcase also be independently selected from a silicon-containing grouprepresented by one of the following Formulas IXF and IXG,

in which R₂₈, R₂₉, and R₃₀ are each independently C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, C₁-C₁₀alkoxy or phenyl; hydrogen, hydroxy, C₁-C₆ alkyl, chloro, fluoro, C₃-C₇cycloalkyl, allyl or C₁-C₈ haloalkyl.

The R¹⁹ and R²⁰ groups of Formula IX, with some embodiments of thepresent invention, can each be independently selected from: a reactivesubstituent; a compatibilizing substituent; hydrogen; hydroxy; C₁-C₂₀alkyl (e.g., C₁-C₆ alkyl); C₁-C₂₀ haloalkyl (e.g., C₁-C₆ haloalkyl);C₃-C₁₀ cycloalkyl (e.g., C₃-C₇ cycloalkyl); allyl; benzyl; ormono-substituted benzyl. The benzyl substituents can be chosen fromhalogen, C₁-C₂₀ alkyl (e.g., C₁-C₆ alkyl) or C₁-C₂₀ alkoxy (e.g., C₁-C₆alkoxy).

The R¹⁹ and R²⁰ groups of Formula IX, with some further embodiments ofthe present invention, can each be independently selected from, anunsubstituted, mono- di- or tri-substituted group chosen from phenyl,naphthyl, phenanthryl, pyrenyl, quinolyl, isoquinolyl, benzofuranyl,thienyl, benzothienyl, dibenzofuranyl, dibenzothienyl, carbazolyl, orindolyl. The group substituents can in each case be independently chosenfrom halogen, C₁-C₂₀ alkyl (e.g., C₁-C₆ alkyl) or C₁-C₂₀ alkoxy (e.g.,C₁-C₆ alkoxy).

The R¹⁹ and R²⁰ groups can also, with some embodiments of the presentinvention, each be independently selected from a mono-substitutedphenyl, in which the phenyl has a substituent located at the paraposition thereof, which is a linking group, —(CH₂)_(t)— or—O—(CH₂)_(t)—, that is connected to an aryl group which is a member of a(or another) photochromic material, such as a naphthopyran, anindeno-fused naphthopyran, or benzopyran, and t is chosen from theinteger 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6.

Alternatively, the R¹⁹ and R²⁰ groups can each be independently selectedfrom the group —CH(R¹⁰)G, in which R¹⁰ is hydrogen, C₁-C₂₀ alkyl (e.g.,C₁-C₆ alkyl) or the unsubstituted, mono- or di-substituted aryl groupsphenyl or naphthyl, and G is —CH₂OR¹¹, in which R¹¹ is hydrogen,—C(O)R¹⁰, C₁-C₂₀ alkyl (e.g., C₁-C₆ alkyl), C₁-C₂₀ alkoxy(C₁-C₂₀)alkyl(e.g., C₁-C₃ alkoxy(C₁-C₆)alkyl), phenyl(C₁-C₂₀)alkyl (e.g.,phenyl(C₁-C₃)alkyl), mono(C₁-C₂₀)alkoxy substituted phenyl(C₁-C₂₀)alkyl(e.g., mono(C₁-C₆)alkoxy substituted phenyl(C₁-C₃)alkyl), or theunsubstituted, mono- or di-substituted aryl groups phenyl or naphthyl.The substituents of the phenyl and naphthyl groups can each beindependently selected from C₁-C₂₀ alkyl (e.g., C₁-C₆ alkyl) or C₁-C₂₀alkoxy (e.g., C₁-C₆ alkoxy).

With some further embodiments of the present invention, R¹⁹ and R²⁰ cantogether form a spiro substituent selected from a substituted orunsubstituted spiro-carbocyclic ring containing 3 to 6 carbon atoms, asubstituted or unsubstituted spiro-heterocyclic ring containing 1 or 2oxygen atoms and 3 to 6 carbon atoms including the spirocarbon atom. Thespiro-carbocyclic ring and the spiro-heterocyclic ring are eachannellated with 0, 1 or 2 benzene rings. The substituents of the spirorings can be chosen from hydrogen or C₁-C₂₀ alkyl (e.g., C₁-C₆ alkyl).

With some embodiments of the present invention, R¹⁷ for each x, and R¹⁸for each y, are in each case independently selected from unsubstitutedphenyl, substituted phenyl, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₃-C₇ cycloalkyl, C₁-C₈haloalkyl, fluoro, chloro, and —O—R₁₀′. With further embodiments of thepresent invention, R¹⁹ and R²⁰ are each independently selected fromhydrogen, C₁-C₈ alkyl, C₁-C₈ haloalkyl, and C₃-C₇ cycloalkyl, or R¹⁷ andR¹⁸ together form a spiro substituent selected from a substituted orunsubstituted spiro-carbocyclic ring containing 3 to 6 carbon atoms.

In accordance with some further embodiments of the present invention,R¹⁷ for each x, and R¹⁸ for each y, can in each case be independentlyselected from a group represented by the following Formula X,—(S₁)_(c)-(Q₁-(S₂)_(d))_(d′)-(Q₂-(S₃)_(e))_(e′)-(Q₃-(S₄)_(f))_(f′)—S₅—P  XWith reference to Formula X, Q₁, Q₂, and Q₃ are each independentlychosen from, a divalent group chosen from, an unsubstituted or asubstituted aromatic group, an unsubstituted or a substituted alicyclicgroup, an unsubstituted or a substituted heterocyclic group, andmixtures thereof.

The substituents of the substituted aromatic groups, substitutedalicyclic groups and substituted heterocyclic groups from which each ofQ₁, Q₂, and Q₃ can be selected, are independently chosen from: a grouprepresented by P (as will be described in further detail herein); liquidcrystal mesogens; halogen; poly(C₁-C₁₈ alkoxy); C₁-C₁₈ alkoxycarbonyl;C₁-C₁₆ alkylcarbonyl; C₁-C₁₈ alkoxycarbonyloxy; aryloxycarbonyloxy;perfluoro(C₁-C₁₈)alkoxy; perfluoro(C₁-C₁₈)alkoxycarbonyl;perfluoro(C₁-C₁₈)alkylcarbonyl; perfluoro(C₁-C₁₈)alkylamino;di-(perfluoro(C₁-C₁₈)alkyl)amino; perfluoro(C₁-C₁₆)alkylthio; C₁-C₁₈alkylthio; C₁-C₁₈ acetyl; C₃-C₁₀ cycloalkyl; C₃-C₁₀ cycloalkoxy; or astraight-chain or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl group that is mono-substitutedwith cyano, halo, or C₁-C₁₈ alkoxy, or poly-substituted with halo.

Additionally or alternatively, the substituents of the substitutedaromatic groups, substituted alicyclic groups and substitutedheterocyclic groups from which each of Q₁, Q₂, and Q₃ can be selected,can be further independently chosen from a group represented by one ofthe following formulas XIIIA and XIIIB,-M(T)_((t-1))  XIIIA-M(OT)_((t-1)),  XIIIBWith reference to Formulas XIIIA and XIIIB, M is chosen from aluminum,antimony, tantalum, titanium, zirconium and silicon, T is chosen fromorganofunctional radicals, organofunctional hydrocarbon radicals,aliphatic hydrocarbon radicals and aromatic hydrocarbon radicals, and tis the valence of M.

Liquid crystal mesogens from which each of Q₁, Q₂, and Q₃ can each beindependently selected, include but are not limited to art-recognizedliquid crystal mesogens. With some embodiments, the liquid crystalmesogens can be selected from those described in U.S. Pat. Nos.7,910,019 and 7,910,020, the disclosures of which are incorporatedherein by reference in their entirety.

With some further embodiments of the present invention, liquid crystalmesogens from which each of Q₁, Q₂, and Q₃ can each be independentlyselected, include but are not limited to the L³ groups as describedpreviously herein with reference to Formula Ia. For purposes ofnon-limiting illustration, Q₁, Q₂, and Q₃ can each be independentlyselected from Formulas V(A) through V(J) as described previously hereinwith regard to L³ of Formula Ia.

With further reference to Formula X, the subscripts c, d, e, and f areeach independently chosen from an integer ranging from 1 to 20,inclusive of the upper and lower limits (e.g., from 2 to 15, or from 3to 10).

The S₁, S₂, S₃, S₄, and S₅ groups of Formula X are each independentlychosen from a spacer unit. The spacer unit can in each case beindependently chosen from, —(CH₂)_(g)—, —(CF₂)_(h)—, —Si(CH₂)_(g)—,—(Si(CH₃)₂O)_(h)—, in which g is independently chosen for eachoccurrence from 1 to 20, and h is a whole number from 1 to 16 inclusive.Alternatively, or additionally, the spacer unit can be independentlychosen from —N(Z)—, —C(Z)═C(Z)—, —C(Z)═N—, —C(Z′)—C(Z′)—, or a singlebond, in which Z is independently chosen for each occurrence fromhydrogen, C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, C₃-C₁₀ cycloalkyl and aryl, and Z′ isindependently chosen for each occurrence from C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, C₃-C₁₀cycloalkyl and aryl. Further alternatively, or additionally, the spacerunit can be independently chosen from —O—, —C(O)—, —C≡C—, —N═N—, —S—,—S(O)—, —S(O)(O)—, —(O)S(O)O—, —O(O)S(O)O—, or straight-chain orbranched C₁-C₂₄ alkylene residue, said C₁-C₂₄ alkylene residue beingunsubstituted, mono-substituted by cyano or halo, or poly-substituted byhalo.

With further reference to Formula X: when two spacer units comprisingheteroatoms are linked together, the spacer units are linked so thatheteroatoms are not directly linked to each other; each bond between S₁and the ring having positions 9-12 and S₁ and the ring having positions5-8 is free of two heteroatoms linked together; and the bond between S₅and P is free of two heteroatoms linked to each other.

The P group of Formula X is chosen from, hydroxy, amino, C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl,C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, azido, silyl, siloxy, silylhydride,(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)oxy, thio, isocyanato, thioisocyanato,acryloyloxy, methacryloyloxy, 2-(acryloyloxy)ethylcarbamyl,2-(methacryloyloxy)ethylcarbamyl, aziridinyl, allyloxycarbonyloxy,epoxy, carboxylic acid, carboxylic ester, acryloylamino,methacryloylamino, aminocarbonyl, C₁-C₁₈ alkyl aminocarbonyl,aminocarbonyl(C₁-C₁₈)alkyl, C₁-C₁₈ alkyloxycarbonyloxy, halocarbonyl,hydrogen, aryl, hydroxy(C₁-C₁₈)alkyl, C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, C₁-C₁₈ alkoxy,amino(C₁-C_(1a))alkyl, C₁-C₁₈ alkylamino, di-(C₁-C₁₈)alkylamino, C₁-C₁₈alkyl(C₁-C₁₈)alkoxy, C₁-C₁₈ alkoxy(C₁-C₁₈)alkoxy, nitro,poly(C₁-C₁₈)alkyl ether, (C₁-C₁₈)alkyl(C₁-C₁₈)alkoxy(C₁-C₁₈)alkyl,polyethyleneoxy, polypropyleneoxy, ethylenyl, acryloyl,acryloyloxy(C₁-C₁₅)alkyl, methacryloyl, methacryloyloxy(C₁-C₁₈)alkyl,2-chloroacryloyl, 2-phenylacryloyl, acryloyloxyphenyl,2-chloroacryloylamino, 2-phenylacryloylaminocarbonyl, oxetanyl,glycidyl, cyano, isocyanato(C₁-C₁₈)alkyl, itaconic acid ester, vinylether, vinyl ester, a styrene derivative, main-chain and side-chainliquid crystal polymers, siloxane derivatives, ethyleneiminederivatives, maleic acid derivatives, fumaric acid derivatives,unsubstituted cinnamic acid derivatives, cinnamic acid derivatives thatare substituted with at least one of methyl, methoxy, cyano and halogen,or substituted or unsubstituted chiral or non-chiral monovalent ordivalent groups chosen from steroid radicals, terpenoid radicals,alkaloid radicals and mixtures thereof. The substituents of the groupsfrom which P can be selected are independently chosen from C₁-C₁₈ alkyl,C₁-C₁₈ alkoxy, amino, C₃-C₁₀ cycloalkyl, C₁-C₁₈ alkyl(C₁-C₁₈)alkoxy,fluoro(C₁-C₁₈)alkyl, cyano, cyano(C₁-C₁₈)alkyl, cyano(C₁-C₁₈)alkoxy ormixtures thereof. With some embodiment P can be a structure having from2 to 4 reactive groups. With further embodiments, P can be anunsubstituted or substituted ring opening metathesis polymerizationprecursor.

With further reference to Formula X, subscripts d′, e′ and f′ are eachindependently chosen from 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4, provided that the sum of d′e′ f′ is at least 1.

The B and B′ groups of the indeno-fused naphthopyran represented byFormula IX are each independently selected from substituted andunsubstituted aromatic groups, and substituted and unsubstitutedheteroaromatic groups, or B and B′ taken together form an unsubstitutedor substituted fluoren-9-ylidene. More particularly, B and B′ can eachindependently be selected from: an aryl group that is mono-substitutedwith a reactive substituent or a compatibilizing substituent; asubstituted phenyl; a substituted aryl; a substituted 9-julolindinyl; asubstituted heteroaromatic group chosen from pyridyl, furanyl,benzofuran-2-yl, benzofuran-3-yl, thienyl, benzothien-2-yl,benzothien-3-yl, dibenzofuranyl, dibenzothienyl, carbazoyl,benzopyridyl, indolinyl, and fluorenyl. The phenyl, aryl,9-julolindinyl, or heteroaromatic substituents are selected from: areactive substituent R; an unsubstituted, mono-, di-, or tri-substitutedphenyl or aryl group; 9-julolidinyl; or an unsubstituted, mono- ordi-substituted heteroaromatic group chosen from pyridyl, furanyl,benzofuran-2-yl, benzofuran-3-yl, thienyl, benzothien-2-yl,benzothien-3-yl, dibenzofuranyl, dibenzothienyl, carbazoyl,benzopyridyl, indolinyl, and fluorenyl.

The phenyl, aryl and heteroaromatic substituents (i.e., the substituentsof the substituted phenyl, aryl and heteroaromatic groups) of the B andB′ groups can each be independently selected from: hydroxyl, a group—C(═O)R₂₁, wherein R₂₁ is —OR₂₂, —N(R₂₃)R₂₄, piperidino, or morpholino,wherein R₂₂ is allyl, C₁-C₂₀ alkyl, phenyl, mono(C₁-C₂₀)alkylsubstituted phenyl, mono(C₁-C₂₀)alkoxy substituted phenyl,phenyl(C₁-C₂₀)alkyl, mono(C₁-C₂₀)alkyl substituted phenyl(C₁-C₂₀)alkyl,mono(C₁-C₂₀)alkoxy substituted phenyl(C₁-C₂₀)alkyl, C₁-C₂₀alkoxy(C₂-C₂₀)alkyl or C₁-C₂₀ haloalkyl, R₂₃ and R₂₄ are eachindependently C₁-C₂₀ alkyl, C₅-C₁₀ cycloalkyl, phenyl or substitutedphenyl, the phenyl substituents being C₁-C₂₀ alkyl or C₁-C₂₀ alkoxy, andsaid halo substituent is chloro or fluoro, aryl, mono(C₁-C₂₀)alkoxyaryl,di(C₁-C₂₀)alkoxyaryl, mono(C₁-C₂₀)alkylaryl, di(C₁-C₂₀)alkylaryl,haloaryl, C₃-C₁₀ cycloalkylaryl, C₁-C₁₈ cycloalkyl, C₃-C₁₀cycloalkyloxy, C₃-C₁₀ cycloalkyloxy(C₁-C₂₀)alkyl, C₃-C₁₀cycloalkyloxy(C₁-C₂₀)alkoxy, aryl(C₁-C₂₀)alkyl, aryl(C₁-C₂₀)alkoxy,aryloxy, aryloxy(C₁-C₂₀)alkyl, aryloxy(C₁-C₂₀)alkoxy, mono- ordi(C₁-C₂₀)alkylaryl(C₁-C₂₀)alkyl, mono- ordi-(C₁-C₂₀)alkoxyaryl(C₁-C₂₀)alkyl, mono- ordi-(C₁-C₂₀)alkylaryl(C₁-C₂₀)alkoxy, mono- ordi-(C₁-C₂₀)alkoxyaryl(C₁-C₂₀)alkoxy, amino, mono- ordi-(C₁-C₂₀)alkylamino, diarylamino, piperazino,N—(C₁-C₂₀)alkylpiperazino, N-arylpiperazino, aziridino, indolino,piperidino, morpholino, thiomorpholino, tetrahydroquinolino,tetrahydroisoquinolino, pyrrolidyl, C₁-C₂₀ alkyl, C₁-C₂₀ haloalkyl,C₁-C₂₀ alkoxy, mono(C₁-C₂₀)alkoxy(C₁-C₂₀)alkyl, acryloxy, methacryloxy,or halogen.

The phenyl, aryl and heteroaromatic substituents (i.e., the substituentsof the substituted phenyl, aryl and heteroaromatic groups) of the B andB′ groups can, in some embodiments, each be independently and moreparticularly selected from: hydroxyl, a group —C(═O)R₂₁, wherein R₂₁ is—OR₂₂, —N(R₂₃)R₂₄, piperidino, or morpholino, wherein R₂₂ is allyl,C₁-C₆ alkyl, phenyl, mono(C₁-C₆)alkyl substituted phenyl,mono(C₁-C₆)alkoxy substituted phenyl, phenyl(C₁-C₃)alkyl,mono(C₁-C₆)alkyl substituted phenyl(C₁-C₃)alkyl, mono(C₁-C₆)alkoxysubstituted phenyl(C₁-C₃)alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy(C₂-C₄)alkyl or C₁-C₆haloalkyl, R₂₃ and R₂₄ are each independently C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₅-C₇cycloalkyl, phenyl or substituted phenyl, the phenyl substituents beingC₁-C₆ alkyl or C₁-C₆ alkoxy, and said halo substituent is chloro orfluoro, aryl, mono(C₁-C₁₂)alkoxyaryl, di(C₁-C₁₂)alkoxyaryl,mono(C₁-C₁₂)alkylaryl, di(C₁-C₁₂)alkylaryl, haloaryl, C₃-C₇cycloalkylaryl, C₃-C₇ cycloalkyl, C₃-C₇ cycloalkyloxy, C₃-C₇cycloalkyloxy(C₁-C₁₂)alkyl, C₃-C₇ cycloalkyloxy(C₁-C₁₂)alkoxy,aryl(C₁-C₁₂)alkyl, aryl(C₁-C₁₂)alkoxy, aryloxy, aryloxy(C₁-C₁₂)alkyl,aryloxy(C₁-C₁₂)alkoxy, mono- or di(C₁-C₁₂)alkylaryl(C₁-C₁₂)alkyl, mono-or di-(C₁-C₁₂)alkoxyaryl(C₁-C₁₂)alkyl, mono- ordi-(C₁-C₁₂)alkylaryl(C₁-C₁₂)alkoxy, mono- ordi-(C₁-C₁₂)alkoxyaryl(C₁-C₁₂)alkoxy, amino, mono- ordi-(C₁-C₁₂)alkylamino, diarylamino, piperazino,N—(C₁-C₁₂)alkylpiperazino, N-arylpiperazino, aziridino, indolino,piperidino, morpholino, thiomorpholino, tetrahydroquinolino,tetrahydroisoquinolino, pyrrolidyl, C₁-C₁₂ alkyl, C₁-C₁₂ haloalkyl,C₁-C₁₂ alkoxy, mono(C₁-C₁₂)alkoxy(C₁-C₁₂)alkyl, acryloxy, methacryloxy,or halogen.

The B and B′ groups can also each independently be an unsubstituted ormono-substituted group chosen from pyrazolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolinyl,imidazolinyl, pyrrolinyl, phenothiazinyl, phenoxazinyl, phenazinyl, andacridinyl, each of said substituents being C₁-C₂₀ alkyl (e.g., C₁-C₁₂alkyl), C₁-C₂₀ alkoxy (e.g., C₁-C₁₂ alkoxy), phenyl, or halogen.

In addition, the B and B′ groups can each be independently selected froma group represented by the following general Formulas XIA or XIB,

Independently with each of general formulas XIA and XIB, K is —CH₂— or—O—, and M is —O— or substituted nitrogen, provided that when M issubstituted nitrogen, K is —CH₂—, the substituted nitrogen substituentsbeing hydrogen, C₁-C₂₀ alkyl, or C₁-C₂₀ acyl, each R₂₅ beingindependently chosen for each occurrence from C₁-C₂₀ alkyl, C₁-C₂₀alkoxy, hydroxy, and halogen, R₂₆ and R₂₇ each being independentlyhydrogen or C₁-C₂₀ alkyl, and u is an integer ranging from 0 to 2.

Each B and B′ group can independently be a group represented by thefollowing general Formula XIC,

With the group represented by general Formula XIC, R₂₈ is hydrogen orC₁-C₁₂ alkyl, and R₂₉ is an unsubstituted, mono- or di-substituted groupchosen from naphthyl, phenyl, furanyl, and thienyl. The substitutents ofthe mono- or di-substituted naphthyls, phenyls, furanyls, and thienyls,are in each case independently selected from C₁-C₁₂ alkyl, C₁-C₁₂alkoxy, or halogen.

The B and B′ groups can together form a member selected from, afluoren-9-ylidene, a mono-substituted fluoren-9-ylidene, or adi-substituted fluoren-9-ylidene. The substituents of themono-substituted fluoren-9-ylidene, and the di-substitutedfluoren-9-ylidene can in each case be independently selected from C₁-C₂₀alkyl (e.g., C₁-C₁₂ alkyl), C₁-C₂₀ alkoxy (e.g., C₁-C₁₂ alkoxy), orhalogen.

With some embodiments of the present invention, with the indeno-fusedring pyran compounds, for example, represented by Formula IX: R¹⁷ foreach x, and R¹⁸ for each y, are in each case independently selected fromC₁-C₆ alkyl, C₃-C₇ cycloalkyl, C₁-C₈ haloalkyl, fluoro, chloro, and—O—R₁₀′; R¹⁹ and R²⁰ are each independently selected from hydrogen,C₁-C₈ alkyl, C₁-C₈ haloalkyl, and C₃-C₇ cycloalkyl, or together form aSpiro substituent selected from a substituted or unsubstitutedspiro-carbocyclic ring containing 3 to 6 carbon atoms; and B and B′ areeach independently selected from aryl (e.g., phenyl) substituted withC₁-C₆ alkoxy, and aryl (e.g., phenyl) substituted with morpholino.

With some embodiments of the present invention, B and B′ of theindeno-fused ring pyran compound represented by Formula IX can each beindependently selected from polyalkoxy, and polyalkoxy having apolymerizable group. The polyalkoxy, and polyalkoxy having apolymerizable group from which B and B′ can each be independentlyselected can be represented by the following Formulas XID and XIE.—Z([(OC₂H₄)_(x)(OC₃H₆)_(y)(OC₄H₈)_(z)]Z′  XID—[(OC₂H₄)_(x)(OC₃H₆)_(y)(OC₄H₈)_(z)]Z′  XIEWith Formulas XID and XIE, —Z is chosen from —C(O)— or —CH₂—, Z′ ischosen from C₁-C₃ alkoxy or a polymerizable group. As used herein, theterm “polymerizable group” means any functional group capable ofparticipating in a polymerization reaction.

With some embodiments, polymerization of polymerizable photochromiccompounds, such as polymerizable indeno-fused ring pyran compounds,including polymerizable indeno-fused naphthopyrans, can occur bymechanisms described with regard to the definition of “polymerization”in Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary, Thirteenth Edition, 1997,John Wiley & Sons, pages 901-902. Those mechanisms include: by“addition,” in which free radicals are the initiating agents that reactwith the ethylenically unsaturated double bond of the monomer by addingto it on one side at the same time producing a new free electron on theother side; by “condensation,” involving the splitting out of acomponent, such as water molecules, by two reacting monomers; and byso-called “oxidative coupling.”

Examples of polymerizable groups include, but are not limited to,hydroxy, thiol, isocyanate groups, oxirane groups (e.g.,oxiranylmethyl), radically polymerizable ethylenically unsaturatedgroups, allyl groups, (meth)acryloxy, and 2-(methacryloxy)ethylcarbamyl.When there are 2 or more polymerizable groups on the indeno-fused ringpyran compound, they can be the same or different.

With some embodiments and with further reference to Formulas XID andXIE: the group, —(OC₂H₄)_(x)—, can represent poly(ethylene oxide); thegroup —(OC₃H₆)_(y)—, can represent poly(propylene oxide); and the group—(OC₄H₈)_(z)—, can represent poly(butylene oxide). When used incombination, the poly(ethylene oxide), poly(propylene oxide) andpoly(butylene oxide) groups of Formulas XID and XIE can be in a randomor block order within the polyalkoxy moiety. The subscript letters x, yand z of Formulas XID and XIE are each independently a number between 0and 50, and the sum of x, y and z is between 2 and 50. The sum of x, yand z can be any number that falls within the range of 2 to 50 (e.g., 2,3, 4 . . . 50). This sum can also range from any lower number to anyhigher number within the range of 2 to 50 (e.g., 6 to 50, 31 to 50). Thenumbers for x, y, and z are average values and can be partial numbers(e.g., 9.5).

As previously discussed, some of the groups of the photochromiccompounds that can be included in the compositions of the presentinvention, such as each of the R¹⁵, R¹⁶, R¹⁷, R¹⁸, B and B′ groups ofthe indeno-fused naphthopyran represented by Formula IX, canindependently be selected from or include at least one of a reactivesubstituent and/or a compatibilizing substituent. If the photochromiccompounds, such as the indeno-fused naphthopyran compound represented byFormula IX, include multiple reactive substituents and/or multiplecompatibilizing substituents, each reactive substituent and eachcompatibilizing substituent can be independently chosen.

The reactive substituent and the compatibilizing substituent can eachindependently be represented in each case by one of:

-   -A′-D-E-G-J (XVII); -G-E-G-J (XX); -D-E-G-J (XXIII);-   -A′-D-J (XVIII); -D-G-J (XXI); -D-J (XXIV);-   -A′-G-J (XIX); -G-J (XXII); and -A′-J (XXV).

With formulas (XVII) through (XXV), non-limiting examples of groups that-A′- can represent according to various non-limiting embodimentsdisclosed herein include —O—, —C(═O)—, —CH₂—, —OC(═O)— and —NHC(═O)—,provided that if -A′- represents —O—, -A′- forms at least one bond with-J.

Non-limiting examples of groups that -D- can represent according tovarious non-limiting embodiments include a diamine residue or aderivative thereof, wherein a first amino nitrogen of said diamineresidue can form a bond with -A′-, or a substituent or an availableposition on the compound (such as the indeno-fused naphthol orindeno-fused naphthopyran), and a second amino nitrogen of said diamineresidue can form a bond with -E-, -G- or -J; and an amino alcoholresidue or a derivative thereof, wherein an amino nitrogen of the aminoalcohol residue can form a bond with -A′-, or a substituent or anavailable position on the compound (such as the indeno-fused naphthol orindeno-fused naphthopyran), and an alcohol oxygen of said amino alcoholresidue can form a bond with -E-, -G- or -J. Alternatively, according tovarious non-limiting embodiments disclosed herein the amino nitrogen ofsaid amino alcohol residue can form a bond with -E-, -G- or -J, and saidalcohol oxygen of said amino alcohol residue can form a bond with -A′-,or a substituent or an available position on the compound (such as theindeno-fused ring compound or indeno-fused ring pyran compound).

Non-limiting examples of suitable diamine residues that -D- canrepresent include an aliphatic diamine residue, a cyclo aliphaticdiamine residue, a diazacycloalkane residue, an azacyclo aliphatic amineresidue, a diazacrown ether residue, and an aromatic diamine residue.Specific non-limiting examples diamine residues that can be used inconjunction with various non-limiting embodiments disclosed hereininclude the following:

Non-limiting examples of suitable amino alcohol residues that -D- canrepresent include an aliphatic amino alcohol residue, a cyclo aliphaticamino alcohol residue, an azacyclo aliphatic alcohol residue, adiazacyclo aliphatic alcohol residue and an aromatic amino alcoholresidue. Specific non-limiting examples amino alcohol residues that canbe used in conjunction with various non-limiting embodiments disclosedherein include the following:

With continued reference to formulas (XVII) through (XXV) above,according to various non-limiting embodiments disclosed herein, -E- canrepresent a dicarboxylic acid residue or a derivative thereof, wherein afirst carbonyl group of said dicarboxylic acid residue can form a bondwith -G- or -D-, and a second carbonyl group of said dicarboxylic acidresidue can form a bond with -G-. Non-limiting examples of suitabledicarboxylic acid residues that -E- can represent include an aliphaticdicarboxylic acid residue, a cycloaliphatic dicarboxylic acid residueand an aromatic dicarboxylic acid residue. Specific non-limitingexamples of dicarboxylic acid residues that can be used in conjunctionwith various non-limiting embodiments disclosed herein include thefollowing:

According to various non-limiting embodiments disclosed herein, -G- canrepresent a group —[(OC₂H₄)_(x)(OC₃H₆)_(y)(OC₄H₈)_(z)]—O—, wherein x, yand z are each independently chosen and range from 0 to 50, and a sum ofx, y, and z ranges from 1 to 50; a polyol residue or a derivativethereof, wherein a first polyol oxygen of said polyol residue can form abond with -A′-, -D-, -E-, or a substituent or an available position onthe indeno-fused naphthopyran, and a second polyol oxygen of said polyolcan form a bond with -E- or -J; or a combination thereof, wherein thefirst polyol oxygen of the polyol residue forms a bond with a group—[(OC₂H₄)_(x)(OC₃H₆)_(y)(OC₄H₈)_(z)]— (i.e., to form the group—[(OC₂H₄)_(x)(OC₃H₆)_(y)(OC₄H₈)_(z)]—O—), and the second polyol oxygenforms a bond with -E- or -J. Non-limiting examples of suitable polyolresidues that -G- can represent include an aliphatic polyol residue, acyclo aliphatic polyol residue and an aromatic polyol residue.

More particularly, illustrative and non-limiting examples of polyolsfrom which the polyol residues that -G- can represent can be formedaccording to various non-limiting embodiments disclosed herein include:(a) low molecular weight polyols having an average molecular weight lessthan 500, such as, but not limited to, those set forth in U.S. Pat. No.6,555,028 at col. 4, lines 48-50, and col. 4, line 55 to col. 6, line 5,which disclosure is hereby specifically incorporated by referenceherein; (b) polyester polyols, such as, but not limited to, those setforth in U.S. Pat. No. 6,555,028 at col. 5, lines 7-33, which disclosureis hereby specifically incorporated by reference herein; (c) polyetherpolyols, such as but not limited to those set forth in U.S. Pat. No.6,555,028 at col. 5, lines 34-50, which disclosure is herebyspecifically incorporated by reference herein; (d) amide-containingpolyols, such as, but not limited to, those set forth in U.S. Pat. No.6,555,028 at col. 5, lines 51-62, which disclosure is herebyspecifically incorporated by reference; (e) epoxy polyols, such as, butnot limited to, those set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 6,555,028 at col. 5line 63 to col. 6, line 3, which disclosure is hereby specificallyincorporated by reference herein; (f) polyhydric polyvinyl alcohols,such as, but not limited to, those set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 6,555,028at col. 6, lines 4-12, which disclosure is hereby specificallyincorporated by reference herein; (g) urethane polyols, such as, but notlimited to those set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 6,555,028 at col. 6, lines13-43, which disclosure is hereby specifically incorporated by referenceherein; (h) polyacrylic polyols, such as, but not limited to those setforth in U.S. Pat. No. 6,555,028 at col. 6, lines 43 to col. 7, line 40,which disclosure is hereby specifically incorporated by referenceherein; (i) polycarbonate polyols, such as, but not limited to, thoseset forth in U.S. Pat. No. 6,555,028 at col. 7, lines 41-55, whichdisclosure is hereby specifically incorporated by reference herein; and(j) mixtures of such polyols.

With further reference to formulas (XVII) through (XXV), according tovarious non-limiting embodiments disclosed herein, -J can represent agroup —K, wherein —K represents a group such as, but not limited to,—CH₂COOH, —CH(CH₃)COOH, —C(O)(CH₂)_(w)COOH, —C₆H₄SO₃H, —C₅H₁₀SO₃H,—C₄H₈SO₃H, —C₃H₆SO₃H, —C₂H₄SO₃H and —SO₃H, wherein “w” ranges from 1 to18. According to other non-limiting embodiments -J can representhydrogen that forms a bond with an oxygen or a nitrogen of linking groupto form a reactive moiety such as —OH or —NH. For example, according tovarious non-limiting embodiments disclosed herein, -J can representhydrogen, provided that if -J represents hydrogen, -J is bonded to anoxygen of -D- or -G-, or a nitrogen of -D-.

According to still further non-limiting embodiments, -J can represent agroup -L or residue thereof, wherein -L can represent a reactive moiety.For example, according to various non-limiting embodiments disclosedherein -L can represent a group such as, but not limited to, acryl,methacryl, crotyl, 2-(methacryloxy)ethylcarbamyl,2-(methacryloxy)ethoxycarbonyl, 4-vinylphenyl, vinyl, 1-chlorovinyl orepoxy. As used herein, the terms acryl, methacryl, crotyl,2-(methacryloxy)ethylcarbamyl, 2-(methacryloxy)ethoxycarbonyl,4-vinylphenyl, vinyl, 1-chlorovinyl, and epoxy refer to the followingstructures:

As previously discussed, -G- can represent a residue of a polyol, whichis defined herein to include hydroxy-containing carbohydrates, such asthose set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 6,555,028 at col. 7, line 56 to col. 8,line 17, which disclosure is hereby specifically incorporated byreference herein. The polyol residue can be formed, for example andwithout limitation herein, by the reaction of one or more of the polyolhydroxyl groups with a precursor of -A′-, such as a carboxylic acid or amethylene halide, a precursor of polyalkoxylated group, such aspolyalkylene glycol, or a hydroxyl substituent of the indeno-fusednaphthopyran. The polyol can be represented by q-(OH)_(a) and theresidue of the polyol can be represented by the formula —O-q-(OH)_(a-1),wherein q is the backbone or main chain of the polyhydroxy compound and“a” is at least 2.

Further, as discussed above, one or more of the polyol oxygens of -G-can form a bond with -J (i.e., forming the group -G-J). For example,although not limiting herein, wherein the reactive and/orcompatibilizing substituent comprises the group -G-J, if -G- representsa polyol residue and -J represents a group —K that contains a carboxylterminating group, -G-J can be produced by reacting one or more polyolhydroxyl groups to form the group —K (for example as discussed withrespect to Reactions B and C at col. 13, line 22 to col. 16, line 15 ofU.S. Pat. No. 6,555,028, which disclosure is hereby specificallyincorporated by reference herein) to produce a carboxylated polyolresidue. Alternatively, if -J represents a group —K that contains asulfa or sulfono terminating group, although not limiting herein, -G-Jcan be produced by acidic condensation of one or more of the polyolhydroxyl groups with HOC₆H₄SO₃H; HOC₅H₁₀SO₃H; HOC₄H₈SO₃H; HOC₃H₆SO₃H;HOC₂H₄SO₃H; or H₂SO₄, respectively. Further, although not limitingherein, if -G- represents a polyol residue and -J represents a group -Lchosen from acryl, methacryl, 2-(methacryloxy)ethylcarbamyl and epoxy,-L can be added by condensation of the polyol residue with acryloylchloride, methacryloyl chloride, 2-isocyanatoethyl methacrylate orepichlorohydrin, respectively.

As discussed previously herein, the compositions of the presentinvention, include the liquid crystal compositions of the presentinvention, in addition to a photochromic compound and/or aphotochromic-dichroic compound, can further include a dichroic compound.Examples of dichroic compounds that can be included in the compositionsof the present invention include, but are not limited to, the dichroiccompounds described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,097,303 at column 7, lines 6 to60. Further examples of dichroic compounds that can be used in thecompositions of the present invention include azomethines, indigoids,thioindigoids, merocyanines, indans, quinophthalonic dyes, perylenes,phthaloperines, triphenodioxazines, indoloquinoxalines,imidazo-triazines, tetrazines, azo and (poly)azo dyes, benzoquinones,naphthoquinones, anthroquinone and (poly)anthroquinones,anthropyrimidinones, iodine and iodates. The dichroic compounds can bein some embodiments selected from polymerizable dichroic compounds, thatinclude at least one group that is capable of being polymerized. Thepolymerizable groups of the polymerizable dichroic compounds can beselected from those polymerizable groups as described previously hereinwith regard to the photochromic compounds, and in particular theindeno-fused naphthopyrans. As discussed previously herein, to ensurethat a net linear polarization is obtained, the dichroic compounds, suchas dichroic dyes, are typically aligned. A non-limiting example of analignment facility that can be used for purposes of aligning dichroiccompounds is described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,632,540 at column 2, line 6through column 28, line 24.

The compositions of the present invention can also include one or morephotochromic-dichroic compounds. Examples of photochromic-dichroiccompounds that can be included in the compositions of the presentinvention include, but are not limited to, those disclosed in U.S. Pat.No. 7,256,921 at column 19, line 3 through column 66, line 60; U.S.Patent Application Publication No. US 2009/0309076 at paragraphs [[0029]to [0137]; and U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 12/928,671, 12/928,681,and 12/928,687, each filed on Dec. 16, 2010. In addition, a generalstructure for photochromic-dichroic compounds is presented in U.S. Pat.No. 7,342,112 at column 5, line 35 to column 31, line 3 and Table Vspanning columns 97-102.

The compositions of the present invention can include photochromiccompounds and/or photochromic-dichroic compounds alone or in conjunctionwith other conventional organic photochromic compounds (as discussedabove), in amounts or ratios such that the compositions into which thephotochromic and/or photochromic-dichroic compounds are incorporated,exhibit a desired color or colors, either in an activated state (e.g.,colored state) or an non-activated state (e.g., a bleached state). Thusthe amount of the photochromic and/or photochromic-dichroic compoundsused is not critical provided that a sufficient amount is present toproduce a desired photochromic effect. As used herein, the term“photochromic amount” refers to the amount of the photochromic and/orphotochromic-dichroic compound necessary to produce the desiredphotochromic effect.

The compositions and other articles according to various embodiments ofthe present invention can include any amount of the photochromiccompound, dichroic compound and/or photochromic-dichroic compoundnecessary to achieve the desired optical properties, such asphotochromic properties and dichroic properties.

The compositions, including liquid crystal compositions, of the presentinvention, can further include an additive selected from a liquidcrystal, a liquid crystal property control agent, a non-linear opticalmaterial, a dye, an alignment promoter, a kinetic enhancer, aphotoinitiator, a thermal initiator, a surfactant, a polymerizationinhibitor, a solvent, a conventional light stabilizer (e.g., ultravioletlight absorbers and light stabilizers including hindered amine groups),a conventional thermal stabilizer, a mold release agent, a rheologycontrol agent, a gelator, a leveling agent (e.g., a surfactant), a freeradical scavenger, and/or an adhesion promoter/coupling agent (e.g.,hexane diol diacrylate). The conventional light stabilizers and thermalstabilizers would be optionally used in addition to the compounds of thepresent invention represented by Formula Ia.

Liquid crystal materials that can be present in the compositions of thepresent invention, can be chosen from liquid crystal polymers, liquidcrystal pre-polymers, and liquid crystal monomers. As used herein theterm “pre-polymer” means partially polymerized materials, are capable ofundergoing further polymerization or polymer chain extension.

Liquid crystal monomers that can be included in the compositions of thepresent invention include mono-functional and multi-functional liquidcrystal monomers. With some embodiments, the liquid crystal monomer canbe a cross-linkable liquid crystal monomer, and can further be aphotocross-linkable liquid crystal monomer. As used herein the term“photocross-linkable” means a material, such as a monomer, a pre-polymeror a polymer, that undergoes crosslinking after exposure to actinicradiation.

Examples of cross-linkable liquid crystal monomers include, but are notlimited to, liquid crystal monomers having functional groups chosen fromacrylates, methacrylates, allyl, allyl ethers, alkynes, amino,anhydrides, epoxides, hydroxides, isocyanates, blocked isocyanates,siloxanes, thiocyanates, thiols, urea, vinyl, vinyl ethers and blendsthereof. Examples of photocross-linkable liquid crystal monomersinclude, but are not limited to, liquid crystal monomers havingfunctional groups chosen from acrylates, methacrylates, alkynes,epoxides, thiols, and blends thereof.

Liquid crystal polymers and pre-polymers that can be included in thecompositions of the present invention include thermotropic liquidcrystal polymers and pre-polymers, and lyotropic liquid crystal polymersand pre-polymers. Further, the liquid crystal polymers and pre-polymerscan be main-chain polymers and pre-polymers or side-chain polymers andpre-polymers. Additionally, according to various embodiments of thepresent invention, the liquid crystal polymer or pre-polymer can becross-linkable, and further can be photocross-linkable.

Examples of liquid crystal polymers and pre-polymers that can beincluded in the compositions of the present invention, includemain-chain and side-chain polymers and pre-polymers having functionalgroups chosen from acrylates, methacrylates, allyl, allyl ethers,alkynes, amino, anhydrides, epoxides, hydroxides, isocyanates, blockedisocyanates, siloxanes, thiocyanates, thiols, urea, vinyl, vinyl ethers,and blends thereof. Examples of photocross-linkable liquid crystalpolymers and pre-polymers that can be included in the compositions ofthe present invention include polymers and pre-polymers havingfunctional groups chosen from acrylates, methacrylates, alkynes,epoxides, thiols, and blends thereof. The liquid crystal polymers andprepolymers can be selected from art-recognized polymers andprepolymers, such as, polyethers, polyesters, polyurethanes,polyacrylates, and combinations of two or more thereof.

Surfactants that can be included in the compositions of the presentinvention, include materials also referred to as wetting agents,anti-foaming agents, emulsifiers, dispersing agents, leveling agentsetc. The surfactant can be selected from anionic surfactants, cationicsurfactants, nonionic surfactants, and combinations thereof. Surfactantsthat can be included in the compositions and articles of the presentinvention, include art-recognized and commercially availablesurfactants. Examples of nonionic surfactants include, but are notlimited to, ethoxylated alkyl phenols, such as the IGEPAL® DMsurfactants or octyl-phenoxypolyethoxyethanol sold as TRITON® X-100,acetylenic diols such as 2,4,7,9-tetramethyl-5-decyne-4,7-diol sold asSURFYNOL® 104, ethoxylated acetylenic diols, such as the SURFYNOL®400surfactant series, fluoro-surfactants, such as the FLUORAD®fluorochemical surfactant series, and capped nonionics such as thebenzyl capped octyl phenol ethoxylates sold as TRITON® CF87, thepropylene oxide capped alkyl ethoxylates, which are available as thePLURAFAC® RA series of surfactants, octylphenoxyhexadecylethoxy benzylether, polyether modified dimethylpolysiloxane copolymer in solvent soldas BYK®-306 additive by Byk Chemie and mixtures of such surfactants.

The compositions and articles of the present invention can optionallyfurther include non-linear optical (NLO) materials. Non-linear opticalmaterials include, but are not limited to, organic materials thatexhibit non-linear optical properties and form crystals. Examples ofnon-linear optical materials include, but are not limited to:N-(4-nitrophenyl)-(L)-prolinol (NPP);4-N,N-dimethylamino-4′-N′-methyl-stilbazolium tosylate (DAST);2-methyl-4-nitroaniline (MNA); 2-amino-5-nitropyridine (2A5NP);p-chlorophenylurea (PCPU); and4-(N,N-dimethylamino)-3-acetamidonitrobenzene (DAN). Further examples ofnon-linear optical materials include those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.6,941,051 at column 4, lines 4-37.

Examples of thermal stabilizers that can be included in the compositionsand articles of the present invention include basic nitrogen-containingcompounds, such as, biurea, allantoin or a metal salt thereof, acarboxylic acid hydrazide (e.g., an aliphatic or aromatic carboxylicacid hydrazide), a metal salt of an organic carboxylic acid, an alkalior alkaline earth metal compound, a hydrotalcite, a zeolite and anacidic compound (e.g., a boric acid compound, a nitrogen-containingcyclic compound having a hydroxyl group, a carboxyl group-containingcompound, a (poly)phenol, butylated hydroxytoluene, and anaminocarboxylic acid) or mixtures thereof.

Examples of mold release agents that can be included or used inconjunction with the compositions and articles of the present inventioninclude, but are not limited to, esters of long-chain aliphatic acidsand alcohols such as pentaerythritol, guerbet alcohols, long-chainketones, siloxanes, alpha.-olefin polymers, long-chain alkanes andhydrocarbons having 15 to 600 carbon atoms.

Rheology control agents that can be used with the compositions of thepresent invention can also be referred to as thickeners, and include,but are not limited to powders (or particulate materials), such asinorganic particulate materials (e.g., silica), and organic particulatematerials, such as microcrystalline cellulose or particulate polymericmaterials.

Gelators (or gelling agents) that can be included in the compositions ofthe present invention, include, but are not limited to, organicmaterials that can also affect the thixotropy of the composition intowhich they are incorporate. Examples of gelators include, but are notlimited to, natural gums, starches, pectins, agar-agar, and gelatins.Gelators that can be used in the present invention include materialsbased on polysaccharides or proteins.

The compositions of the present invention can include free radicalscavengers, examples of which include, but are not limited to: syntheticpseudopeptides resistant to hydrolysis, such as Carcinine hydrochloride;lipoamino acids, such as L-lysine lauroylmethionine; plant extractscontaining, multi-enzymes; natural tocopherol and related compounds, aswell as compounds containing an active hydrogen such as —OH, —SH, or—NRH group, where R is a hydrocarbyl group. Further examples of freeradical scavengers include, but are not limited to, sterically hinderedamines.

Adhesion promoters that can be included in the compositions and articlesof the present invention include organo-silane compounds, such asaminoorganosilane materials, silane coupling agents, organic titanatecoupling agents and organic zirconate coupling agents described in U.S.Pat. No. 7,410,691 at column 6, line 12 through column 8, line 23.Further examples of adhesion promoters include zirco-aluminate adhesionpromoting compounds that are commercially available from Rhone-Poulenc.Preparation of aluminum-zirconium complexes is described in the U.S.Pat. Nos. 4,539,048 and 4,539,049. These patents describezirco-aluminate complex reaction products represented by the empiricalformula:(Al₂(OR₁O)_(a)A_(b)B_(c))_(X)(OC(R₂)O)_(Y)(ZrA_(d)B_(c))_(Z)wherein X, Y, and Z are at least 1, R₂ is an alkyl, alkenyl, aminoalkyl,carboxyalkyl, mercaptoalkyl, or epoxyalkyl group, having from 2 to 17carbon atoms, and the ratio of X:Z is from about 2:1 to about 5:1.Additional zirco-aluminate complexes are described in U.S. Pat. No.4,650,526.

Examples of dyes that can be present in the compositions and articles ofthe present invention include, but are not limited to, organic dyes thatare capable of imparting a desired color or other optical property tothe composition and/or article.

The compositions of the present invention can optionally include one ormore alignment promoters. Alignment promoters include materials that arecapable of facilitating the rate of alignment and/or uniformity ofalignment, of a material to which it is added. Examples of alignmentpromoters include, but are not limited to, those described in U.S. Pat.No. 6,338,808 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,875,483.

Kinetic enhancing additives can also optionally be included in thecompositions of the present invention. Examples of kinetic enhancingadditives include, but are not limited to, epoxy-containing compounds,organic polyols, and/or plasticizers. More specific examples of kineticenhancing additives are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,433,043 and U.S.Pat. No. 6,713,536.

Examples of photoinitiators that can be present in the compositions ofthe present invention include, but are not limited to, cleavage-typephotoinitiators and abstraction-type photoinitiators. Examples ofcleavage-type photoinitiators include, but are not limited to,acetophenones, α-aminoalkylphenones, benzoin ethers, benzoyl oximes,acyiphosphine oxides and bisacylphosphine oxides or mixtures of suchinitiators. A commercial example of a cleavage-type photoinitiator isDAROCURE® 4265 photoinitiator, which is available from Ciba Chemicals,Inc. Examples of abstraction-type photoinitiators include, but are notlimited to, benzophenone, Michler's ketone, thioxanthone, anthraquinone,camphorquinone, fluorone, ketocoumarin or mixtures of suchphotoinitiators.

Photoinitiators that can be present in the compositions of the presentinvention, also include visible light photoinitiators. Examples ofsuitable visible light photoinitiators are described at column 12, line11 to column 13, line 21 of U.S. Pat. No. 6,602,603.

The compositions of the present invention can optionally include one ormore thermal initiators. Examples of thermal initiators include, but arenot limited to, organic peroxy compounds and azobis(organonitrile)compounds. Examples of organic peroxy compounds include, but are notLimited to, peroxymonocarbonate esters, such as tertiarybutylperoxyisopropyl carbonate; peroxydicarbonate esters, such as di(2-ethylhexyl)peroxydicarbonate, di(secondary butyl) peroxydicarbonate anddiisopropylperoxydicarbonate; diacyperoxides, such as2,4-dichlorobenzoyL peroxide, isobutyryl peroxide, decanoyl peroxide,lauroyl peroxide, propionyl peroxide, acetyl peroxide, benzoyl peroxideand p-chlorobenzoyl peroxide; peroxyesters such as t-butylperoxypivalate, t-butylperoxy octylate and t-butylperoxyisobutyrate;methylethylketone peroxide, and acetylcyclohexane sulfonyl peroxide.With some embodiments, the thermal initiators used include those that donot discolor the resulting polymerizate. Examples ofazobis(organonitrile) compounds include, but are not limited to,azobis(isobutyronitrile), azobis(2,4-dimethylvaleronitrile) and mixturesthereof.

The compositions of the present invention can optionally include one ormore polymerization inhibitors. Examples of polymerization inhibitorsinclude, but are not limited to: nitrobenzene, 1,3,5,-trinitrobenzene,p-benzoquinone, chloranil, DPPH, FeCl₃, CuCl₂, oxygen, sulfur, aniline,phenol, p-dihydroxybenzene, 1,2,3-trihydroxybenzene, and2,4,6-trimethylphenol.

The compositions of the present invention can optionally include one ormore solvents. Solvents that can be present in the compositions of thepresent invention include solvents: that are capable of dissolving solidcomponents of the compositions; that are compatible with thecompositions, optical elements and/or substrates; and/or that can ensureuniform coverage of surfaces to which the composition is applied.Examples of solvents include, but are not limited to: propylene glycolmonomethyl ether acetate and their derivates (sold as DOWANOL®industrial solvents), acetone, amyl propionate, anisole, benzene, butylacetate, cyclohexane, dialkyl ethers of ethylene glycol, e.g.,diethylene glycol dimethyl ether and their derivates (sold asCELLOSOLVE® industrial solvents), diethylene glycol dibenzoate, dimethylsulfoxide, dimethyl formamide, dimethoxybenzene, ethyl acetate,isopropyl alcohol, methyl cyclohexanone, cyclopentanone, methyl ethylketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, methyl propionate, propylene carbonate,tetrahydrofuran, toluene, xylene, 2-methoxyethyl ether, 3-propyleneglycol methyl ether, and mixtures thereof.

The compounds and compositions of the present invention can beincorporated into an organic host material. Examples of organic hostmaterials include synthetic and natural polymer materials. Organic hostmaterials into which the compounds and compositions of the presentinvention can be incorporated include, but are not limited to, thosematerials described further herein with regard to the substrates of thearticles of the present invention.

The present invention also relates to an article of manufacture thatincludes one or more compounds according to the present inventionrepresented by Formula Ia. Articles of manufacture according to thepresent invention can have one or more compounds represented by FormulaI: incorporated directly therein, for example, prior to forming thearticle by molding; or applied to at least a portion of a surface of thearticle in the form of, one or more coatings that can optionally becured or imbibed into the surface of the article, and/or a film, such asone or more laminated films.

With some embodiments of the present invention, the article ofmanufacture is an optical element that includes: (i) a substrate; and(ii) a layer on at least a portion of a surface of the substrate, inwhich the layer includes at least one compound of the present inventionrepresented by Formula Ia. The layer can be selected from one or morecoating compositions, one or more films (such as laminated films), andcombinations thereof.

Substrates that can be used with the articles according to the presentinvention, include substrates formed from organic materials, inorganicmaterials, or combinations thereof (for example, composite materials).

Examples of organic materials that can be used as substrates of thearticles according to the present invention, include polymericmaterials, such as homopolymers and copolymers, prepared from themonomers and mixtures of monomers disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,962,617and in U.S. Pat. No. 5,658,501 from column 15, line 28 to column 16,line 17. For example, such polymeric materials can be thermoplastic orthermoset polymeric materials, can be transparent or optically clear,and can have any refractive index required. Examples of such monomersand polymers include: polyol(allyl carbonate) monomers, e.g., allyldiglycol carbonates such as diethylene glycol bis(allyl carbonate),which monomer is sold under the trademark CR-39 by PPG Industries, Inc.;polyurea-polyurethane (polyurea-urethane) polymers, which are prepared,for example, by the reaction of a polyurethane prepolymer and a diaminecuring agent, a composition for one such polymer being sold under thetrademark TRIVEX by PPG Industries, Inc.; polyol(meth)acryloylterminated carbonate monomer; diethylene glycol dimethacrylate monomers;ethoxylated phenol methacrylate monomers; diisopropenyl benzenemonomers; ethoxylated trimethylol propane triacrylate monomers; ethyleneglycol bismethacrylate monomers; poly(ethylene glycol) bismethacrylatemonomers; urethane acrylate monomers; poly(ethoxylated bisphenol Adimethacrylate); poly(vinyl acetate); poly(vinyl alcohol); poly(vinylchloride); poly(vinylidene chloride); polyethylene; polypropylene;polyurethanes; polythiourethanes; thermoplastic polycarbonates, such asthe carbonate-linked resin derived from bisphenol A and phosgene, onesuch material being sold under the trademark LEXAN; polyesters, such asthe material sold under the trademark MYLAR; poly(ethyleneterephthalate); polyvinyl butyral; poly(methyl methacrylate), such asthe material sold under the trademark PLEXIGLAS, and polymers preparedby reacting polyfunctional isocyanates with polythiols or polyepisulfidemonomers, either homopolymerized or co- and/or terpolymerized withpolythiols, polyisocyanates, polyisothiocyanates and optionallyethylenically unsaturated monomers or halogenated aromatic-containingvinyl monomers. Also contemplated are copolymers of such monomers andblends of the described polymers and copolymers with other polymers, forexample, to form block copolymers or interpenetrating network products.

With some embodiments of the present invention, the substrate can be anophthalmic substrate. As used herein the term “ophthalmic substrate”means lenses, partially formed lenses, and lens blanks. Examples oforganic materials suitable for use in forming ophthalmic substratesinclude art-recognized polymers that are useful as ophthalmicsubstrates, e.g., organic optical resins that are used to prepareoptically clear castings for optical applications, such as ophthalmiclenses.

Examples of additional organic materials suitable for use as substratesaccording to various embodiments of the present invention includenatural and synthetic textiles, and cellulosic materials such as, paperand wood.

Examples of inorganic materials that can be used as substrates with thearticles of the present invention include glasses, minerals, ceramics,and metals. With some embodiments, the substrate can comprise glass. Inother embodiments, the substrate can have a reflective surface, forexample, a polished ceramic substrate, metal substrate, or mineralsubstrate. In other embodiments, a reflective coating or layer (e.g., ametal layer, such as a silver layer) can be deposited or otherwiseapplied to a surface of an inorganic or an organic substrate to make itreflective or to enhance its reflectivity.

In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, thesubstrates can have a protective coating, for example, anabrasion-resistant coating, such as a “hard coat,” on an exteriorsurface thereof. For purposes of illustration, commercially availablethermoplastic polycarbonate ophthalmic lens substrates are often soldwith an abrasion-resistant coating already applied to its exteriorsurfaces because these surfaces tend to be readily scratched, abraded orscuffed. Correspondingly, as used herein the term “substrate” includes asubstrate having a protective coating, such as an abrasion-resistantcoating, on its surface(s).

Substrates that can be used with articles according to the presentinvention also include untinted, tinted, linearly polarizing, circularlypolarizing, elliptically polarizing, photochromic, ortinted-photochromic substrates. As used herein with reference tosubstrates the term “untinted” means substrates that are essentiallyfree of coloring agent additions (such as conventional dyes) and have anabsorption spectrum for visible radiation that does not varysignificantly in response to actinic radiation. Further, with referenceto substrates the term “tinted” means substrates that have a coloringagent addition (such as conventional dyes) and an absorption spectrumfor visible radiation that does not vary significantly in response toactinic radiation.

As used herein, the term “linearly polarizing” with reference tosubstrates refers to substrates that are adapted to linearly polarizeradiation (i.e., confine the vibrations of the electric vector of lightwaves to one direction). As used herein, the term “circularlypolarizing” with reference to substrates refers to substrates that areadapted to circularly polarize radiation. As used herein, the term“elliptically polarizing” with reference to substrates refers tosubstrates that are adapted to elliptically polarize radiation. Further,as used herein, with reference to substrates, the term“tinted-photochromic” means substrates containing a coloring agentaddition as well as a photochromic material, and having an absorptionspectrum for visible radiation that varies in response to at leastactinic radiation. Thus, for example, the tinted-photochromic substratecan have a first color characteristic of the coloring agent and a secondcolor characteristic of the combination of the coloring agent thephotochromic material when exposed to actinic radiation.

With some embodiments of the present invention, the layer of the articleof the present invention is at least partially aligned by exposing atleast a portion of said layer to at least one of a magnetic field, anelectric field, linearly polarized radiation, and shear force. As usedherein the term “aligned” means to bring into suitable arrangement orposition by interaction with another material, compound and/orstructure. With some embodiments, at least partial alignment of thelayer results in a net linear polarization of transmitted radiationrelative to the layer. Additional methods of aligning the layer include,but are not limited to, exposing the layer to plane-polarizedultraviolet radiation, exposing the layer to infrared radiation, etchingthe layer, rubbing the layer, and aligning the layer with anotherstructure or material, such as an at least partially ordered alignmentmedium. Examples of alignment methods for layers are described ingreater detail in U.S. Pat. No. 7,097,303, at column 27, line 17 tocolumn 28, line 45.

With some embodiments of the present invention, the layer of thearticles and optical elements of the present invention includes a liquidcrystal phase having at least one of a nematic phase, a smectic phase,or a chiral nematic phase.

The layer including the compound of the present invention, that ispresent on at least a portion of a surface of the substrate, can beselected from those compositions according to the present invention asdescribed previously herein. The layer can be in the form of a curablecoating, a thermoplastic coating, a laminated thermoset film, and/or alaminated thermoplastic film. The layer can be applied by art-recognizedmethods, such as, but not limited to, spin coating, spray coating, sprayand spin coating, curtain coating, flow coating, dip coating, injectionmolding, casting, roll coating, wire coating, and overmolding. Thecoating including the compound of the present invention can be appliedto an interior surface of a mold and the substrate can be formed on(e.g., on top of) the coating (i.e., overmolding).

Non-limiting examples of coating compositions of film forming polymersthat can include the compounds of the present invention are as follows:those described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,256,921 at column 2, line 60 tocolumn 94, line 23; polyurethane coatings, such as those described inU.S. Pat. No. 6,187,444 at column 3, line 4 to column 12, line 15;aminoplast resin coatings, such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos.6,432,544 at column 2, line 52 to column 14, line 5 and 6,506,488 atcolumn 2, line 43 to column 12, line 23; polysiloxane coatings, such asthose described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,556,605 at column 2, line 15 tocolumn 7, line 27; poly(meth)acrylate coatings, such as those describedin U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,602,603 at column 3, line 15 to column 7, line 50,6,150,430 at column 8, lines 15-38, and 6,025,026 at column 8, line 66to column 10, line 32; polyanhydride coatings, such as those describedin U.S. Pat. No. 6,436,525 at column 2, line 52 to column 11, line 60;polyacrylamide coatings such as those described in U.S. Pat. No.6,060,001 at column 2, line 6 to column 5, line 40; epoxy resincoatings, such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,268,055 at column2, line 63 to column 15, line 12; and poly(urea-urethane) coatings, suchas those described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,531,076 at column 2, line 60 tocolumn 10, line 49. The disclosures in the aforementioned U.S. Patentsthat relate to the film-forming polymers are hereby incorporated hereinby reference.

Non-limiting methods of applying films and sheets including thecompounds of the present invention to a substrate include, for example,at least one of: laminating, fusing, in-mold casting, and adhesivelybonding the polymeric sheet to the at least a portion of the substrate.As used herein, in-mold casting includes a variety of castingtechniques, such as but not limited to: overmolding, wherein the sheetis placed in a mold and the substrate is formed (for example by casting)over at least a portion of the substrate; and injection molding, whereinthe substrate is formed around the sheet.

The polymeric film or sheet can include a polymeric composition of anyof a wide variety of polymers, including both thermosetting polymers andthermoplastic polymers. As used herein, the term “polymer” is intendedto include both polymers and oligomers, as well as both homopolymers andcopolymers. Such polymers can include, for example, acrylic polymers,polyester polymers, polyurethane polymers, poly(urea)urethane polymers,polyamine polymers, polyepoxide polymers, polyamide polymers, polyetherpolymers, polysiloxane polymers, polysulfide polymers, copolymersthereof, and mixtures thereof. Generally these polymers can be anypolymers of these types made by any method known to those skilled in theart.

The polymers used to form the polymeric film or sheet also can includefunctional groups including, but not limited to, carboxylic acid groups,amine groups, epoxide groups, hydroxyl groups, thiol groups, carbamategroups, amide groups, urea groups, isocyanate groups (including blockedisocyanate groups) mercaptan groups, groups having ethylenicunsaturation e.g., acrylate groups), vinyl groups, and combinationsthereof. Appropriate mixtures of film-forming resins can also be used inthe preparation of the coating compositions. If the polymer compositionfrom which the polymeric sheet is formed includes functionalgroup-containing polymers (such as any of the previously mentionedfunctional group-containing polymers), the polymer composition canfurther include a material having functional groups reactive with thoseof said polymer. Reaction can be facilitated, for example, by thermal,photoinitiated, oxidative, and/or radiative curing techniques. Alsocontemplated are mixtures of any of the foregoing polymers.

Further non-limiting examples of polymers suitable for use in formingthe polymeric film or sheet of the present invention includethermoplastic block copolymers of polyalkyl(meth)acrylate and polyamidedescribed in Published U.S. Pat. No. 7,282,551 at paragraphs[0020]-[0042], the specified portions of which is incorporated byreference herein; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,096,375 at column 18, line 8 tocolumn 19, line 5, the specified portions of which are incorporated byreference herein.

In a particular embodiment of the present invention, the polymeric filmor sheet includes an elastomeric polymer, for example thermoplasticelastomeric polymers. As used herein, by “elastomeric polymer” is meanta polymer that has a high degree of resiliency and elasticity such thatit is capable of at least partially reversible deformation orelongation. In some instances, when stretched, the molecules of anelastomer are aligned and can take on aspects of a crystallinearrangement; and upon release, the elastomer can, to some extent, returnto its natural disordered state. For purposes of the present invention,elastomeric polymers can include thermoplastic, thermoplasticelastomeric polymers, and thermosetting polymers provided such polymersfall within the description provided above for “elastomeric polymer.”

The elastomeric polymer can include any of wide variety of artrecognized elastomers including but not limited to copolymers of any ofthe previously mentioned polymers. In an embodiment of the presentinvention, the elastomeric polymer can include a block copolymer havingether and/or ester linkages in the polymer backbone. Examples ofsuitable block copolymers can include, but are not limited to,poly(amide-ether) block copolymers, poly(ester-ether) block copolymers,poly(ether-urethane) block copolymers, poly(ester-urethane) blockcopolymers, and/or poly(ether-urea) block copolymers. Suitable specificexamples of such elastomeric polymers can include, but are not limitedto, those commercially available under the tradenames DESMOPAN® andTEXIN® from Bayer Material Science; ARNITEL® from Royal DSM; and PEBAX®from Atofina Chemicals or Cordis Corporation.

Curing the compositions and/or layers that include the compound of thepresent invention can include at least partially polymerizing thecomposition or layer. Methods for at least partially polymerizing thecomposition/layer include exposing at least a portion of thecomposition/layer to at least one of thermal energy (for example toactivate a thermal initiator), infrared radiation, ultravioletradiation, visible radiation, gamma radiation, microwave radiation,electron radiation or combinations thereof so as to initiate thepolymerization reaction of the polymerizable components or cross-linkingwith or without a catalyst or initiator. If desired or required, thiscan be followed by a heating step. According to some embodiments, thecomposition/layer can be cured to a specific or target surface hardness.For example, with some embodiments, the composition/layer can be curedto have a Fischer microhardness ranging from 0 to 150 Newtons/mm² thatalso exhibits good photochromic and/or dichroic responsecharacteristics. With other embodiments, the composition/layer can becured to a Fischer microhardness of less than 60 Newtons/mm², e.g. from0 to 59.9 Newtons/mm², or alternatively from 5 to 25 N/mm². Withadditional embodiments, the composition/layer can be cured to have aFischer microhardness ranging from 150 N/mm² to 250 N/mm² oralternatively from 150 N/mm² to 200 N/mm².

In accordance with further embodiments of the present invention, theoptical element of the present invention is selected from an ophthalmicelement, a display element, a window, a mirror, and a liquid crystalcell element. As used herein the term “optical” means pertaining to orassociated with light and/or vision. The optical element or device canalso be chosen from ophthalmic elements and devices, display elementsand devices, windows, mirrors, packaging material such as shrinkwrap,and active and passive liquid crystal cell elements and devices.

As used herein the term “ophthalmic” means pertaining to or associatedwith the eye and vision. Non-limiting examples of ophthalmic elementsinclude corrective and non-corrective lenses, including single vision ormulti-vision lenses, which can be either segmented or non-segmentedmulti-vision lenses (such as, but not limited to, bifocal lenses,trifocal lenses and progressive lenses), as well as other elements usedto correct, protect, or enhance (cosmetically or otherwise) vision,including without limitation, contact lenses, intra-ocular lenses,magnifying lenses, and protective lenses or visors. As used herein theterm “display” means the visible or machine-readable representation ofinformation in words, numbers, symbols, designs or drawings.Non-limiting examples of display elements and devices include screens,monitors, and security elements, including without limitation, securitymarks and authentication marks. As used herein the term “window” meansan aperture adapted to permit the transmission of radiationtherethrough. Non-limiting examples of windows include automotive andaircraft transparencies, filters, shutters, and optical switches. Asused herein the term “mirror” means a surface that specularly reflects alarge fraction of incident light.

With some embodiments, the optical element can be a security element.Examples of security elements include, but are not limited to, securitymarks and authentication marks that are connected to at least a portionof a substrate, such as: access cards and passes, e.g., tickets, badges,identification or membership cards, debit cards, etc.; negotiableinstruments and non-negotiable instruments e.g., drafts, checks, bonds,notes, certificates of deposit, stock certificates, etc.; governmentdocuments, e.g., currency, licenses, identification cards, benefitcards, visas, passports, official certificates, deeds etc.; consumergoods, e.g., software, compact discs (“CDs”), digital-video discs(“DVDs”), appliances, consumer electronics, sporting goods, cars, etc.;credit cards; and merchandise tags, labels and packaging.

With further embodiments, the security element can be connected to atleast a portion of a substrate chosen from a transparent substrate and areflective substrate. Alternatively, according to further embodiments inwhich a reflective substrate is required, if the substrate is notreflective or sufficiently reflective for the intended application, areflective material can be first applied to at least a portion of thesubstrate before the security mark is applied thereto. For example, areflective aluminum coating can be applied to at least a portion of thesubstrate prior to forming the security element thereon. Additionally oralternatively, the security element can be connected to at least aportion of a substrate chosen from untinted substrates, tintedsubstrates, photochromic substrates, tinted-photochromic substrates,linearly polarizing, circularly polarizing substrates, and ellipticallypolarizing substrates.

Furthermore, security elements according to the aforementionedembodiments can further include one or more other coatings or films orsheets to form a multi-layer reflective security element with viewingangle dependent characteristics, such as described in U.S. Pat. No.6,641,874.

With some embodiments, the article of manufacture according to thepresent invention is a liquid crystal cell that includes: (i) a firstsubstrate having a first surface; (ii) a second substrate having asecond surface, said first surface of said first substrate and saidsecond surface of said second substrate being in spaced opposition fromeach other, and together defining a space there-between; and (iii) aliquid crystal composition residing within at least a portion of saidspace, said liquid crystal composition comprising the compound of thepresent invention represented by Formula Ia. The first and secondsubstrates of the liquid crystal cell can each be independently selectedfrom those classes and examples of substrates as described previouslyherein with regard to the optical element of the present invention.

As used herein the term “liquid crystal cell” refers to a structurecontaining a liquid crystal material that is capable of being ordered.Active liquid crystal cells are cells wherein the liquid crystalmaterial is capable of being switched between ordered and disorderedstates or between two ordered states by the application of an externalforce, such as electric or magnetic fields. Passive liquid crystal cellsare cells wherein the liquid crystal material maintains an orderedstate. A non-limiting example of an active liquid crystal cell elementor device is a liquid crystal display.

The present invention also relates to a method of forming an ophthalmicelement, that includes: (i) forming a liquid crystal compositioncomprising the compound of the present invention represented by FormulaIa; (ii) applying the liquid crystal composition to at least a portionof a substrate; (iii) at least partially aligning at least a portion ofthe liquid crystal composition applied to the substrate, thereby formingan at least partially aligned liquid crystal composition; and (iv)curing, at least partially, the aligned liquid crystal composition.

The liquid crystal composition can be selected from those liquid crystalcompositions as described previously herein. The substrate can beselected from those substrates as described previously herein.Application of the liquid crystal composition to the substrate can beconducted in accordance with those application methods describedpreviously herein. Aligning the liquid crystal composition can beachieved in accordance with those methods as described previouslyherein. The aligned liquid crystal composition can be cured inaccordance with those methods as described previously herein, such as byexposure to actinic radiation, high energy particles (e.g., electronbeam) and/or elevated temperature. The term “at least partially cured”means the curable or crosslinkable components of the liquid crystalcomposition are at least partially cured, crosslinked and/or reacted. Inalternate non-limiting embodiments, the degree of reacted components,can vary widely, e.g., from 5% to 100% of all the possible curable,crosslinkable and/or reactable components.

The present invention is more particularly described in the followingexamples, which are intended to be illustrative only, since numerousmodifications and variations therein will be apparent to those skilledin the art. Unless otherwise specified, all parts and all percentagesare by weight.

EXAMPLES

Part 1 describes the preparation of Examples 1-11. Part 2 describes theliquid crystal coating components and formulations. Part 3 describes thepreparation of the photoalignment coating solution. Part 4 describes thepreparation of the transitional layer coating formulation. Part 5describes the procedures used for preparing and coating the substrates.Part 6 describes the measurements made to determine the clearingtemperature upon heating and cooling reported in Table 2 and thephotochromic performance test results including absorbance ratios,optical response and fatigue reported in Tables 3, 4 and 5.

Part 1—Preparation of Examples

Examples 1-11 describe the preparation of the materials of the presentinvention. The following abbreviations were used for the chemicalslisted:

DHP—3,4-dihydro-2H-pyran

DCC—dicyclohexylcarbodiimide

DIAD—diisopropyl azodicarboxylate

DMAP—4-dimethylaminopyridine

PPh3—triphenyl phosphine

PPTS—pyridine p-toluenesulfonate

PTSA—p-toluenesulfonic acid

THF—tetrahydrofuran

DMF—dimethyl formamide

DBSA—4-dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid

NMR—Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance

Example 1

Step 1

A solution of DHP (13 g, 152 mmol), bromohexanol (25 g, 138 mmol) andcatalytic amount of PPTS (0.4 g) in CH₂Cl₂ (300 mL) in a reaction flaskwas stirred under N₂ for 24 hours at about 23° C. The mixture was washedwith water and then concentrated to yield the final product (35 g). AnNMR spectrum showed that the product had a structure consistent with2-((6-bromohexyl)oxy)tetrahydro-2H-pyran.

Step 2

To a reaction flask containing a suspension of sodium hydride (60%dispersion in mineral oil, 13 g, 317 mmol) in anhydrous toluene (130 ml)at about 23° C. under N₂ was added dropwise diethyl malonate (26 g, 159mmol). The resulting mixture was stirred for 20 min and the product ofStep 1 (35 g, 132 mmol) was added. The reaction mixture was refluxed forabout 24 hours, then quenched with water, extracted with ether andwashed with brine. The recovered organic extracts were combined, driedover MgSO₄ and concentrated. The resulting product was used directly inthe next step.

Step 3

The product of Step 2, (5.0 g, 14.5 mmol, 1 eq.),1,2,2,6,6-pentamethylpiperidin-4-ol 10 g, 58 mmol, 4 eq.) and potassiumtert-butoxide (0.4 g, 4 mmol, 0.2 eq.) were added to a reaction flaskcontaining toluene (50 ml) and stirred until there was a clear solution.The mixture in the reaction flask equipped with a Dean-Stark trap washeated to reflux. About 65 mL of liquid was collected and 30 mL of freshtoluene was added. An additional 15 mL. liquid was collected and thereaction mixture was cooled to 80° C.2,6-Di-tert-butyl-4-((dimethylamino)methyl)phenol (4.6 g, 117 mmol, 1.2eq.) was added, followed by potassium tert-butoxide (0.3 g, 3 mmol, 0.2eq.). The resulting mixture was then heated to reflux for about 24hours. The reaction mixture was cooled to about 23° C. Water was added.Acetic acid was used to adjust the pH from about 13 to 6. The recoveredorganic layer was dried and concentrated to give a thick brown oil. AnNMR spectrum showed that the product had a structure consistent withbis(1,2,2,6,6-pentamethylpiperidin-4-yl)2-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)-2-(6-((tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)oxy)hexyl)malonate.

Step 4

The product of Step 3 was dissolved in methanol in a reaction flask andPTSA was added. After refluxing for about 4 hours, HCl was added untilthe solution became acidic. The mixture was stirred a few minutes and 5weight % NaOH/water was used to adjust the PH to basic. The resultingmixture was extracted with ethyl acetate, washed with water, dried andconcentrated to provide a solid. An NMR spectrum showed that the producthad a structure consistent with bis(1,2,2,6,6-pentamethylpiperidin-4-yl)2-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)-2-(6-(hydroxy)hexyl)malonate.

Step 5

In a reaction flask, a suspension of4′-(trans-4-pentylcyclohexyl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-4-carbonitrile (100 g, 302mmol) in 2-ethoxy ethanol (3000 ml) was heated until clear. To thereaction mixture, 50 wt % aqueous NaOH (1.51 mol) was added slowly withvigorous stirring using mechanical stirrer. After ˜4-5 h, HPLC showedthe reaction was complete. The reaction mixture was poured into a beakerwith ˜2.0 L water. The solid was collected by filtration. The recoveredsolid was mixed with water. The mixture was acidified to pH ˜2 usingconcentrated HCl. The solid was collected by filtration, washed withwater several times to remove all HCl and dried under vacuum at ˜80° C.Off-white solid of 101 g was obtained as the product. NMR showed thatthe product had a structure consistent with4′-(trans-4-pentylcyclohexyl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-4-carboxylic acid.

Step 6

The product of Step 5 (140 g, 0.4 mol) was mixed with 150 ml of thionylchloride (1.631 g/ml) and few drops of DMF in toluene in a reactionflask and heated to about 80° C. for 6 hours. The reaction mixture wasconcentrated using a rotary evaporator. The resulting residue was pouredinto hexane (200-250 ml) with stirring. The resulting solid was washedwith cold hexanes and dried in oven. The recovered 144 g of product wasused directly in the next step. Yield 144 g.

Step 7

The product of Step 6 (0.36 g, 0.99 mmol) was dissolved into anhydrousmethylenechloride (2 ml) in a reaction flask. The product of Step 4(0.60 g, 0.82 mmol) and triethylamine (0.2 g, 1.7 mmol) were added tothe solution. The reaction mixture was stirred at about 23° C. for 24hours. The reaction mixture was concentrated; passed through a plugcolumn and purified using a CombiFlash Rf from Teledyne ISCO. A solidwas obtained after drying. Yield 0.5 g. An NMR spectrum showed that theproduct had a structure consistent with4-((2-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)-2-(((1,2,2,6,6-pentamethylpiperidin-4-yl)oxy)carbonyl)-8-((4′-(trans-4-pentylcyclohexyl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)oxy)octanoyl)oxy)-1,2,2,6,6-pentamethylpiperidineas represented by the following graphic formula.

Example 2

To a reaction flask was added 4-(trans-4-pentylcyclohexyl)benzoic acid(0.7 g, 2.5 mmol, 3 eq.), the product of Step 4 in Example 1 (0.6, 0.8mmol, 1 eq.), 4-dimethylaminopyridine (0.05 g, 0.4 mmol, 0.5 eq.) andDCC (0.2 g, 1 mmol, 1.1 eq.). The resulting mixture was stirred at about23° C. for about 24 hours. The solid that formed was filtered outthrough a plug column of CELITE® filter aid and silica gel. The filtratewas washed three times with 5 weight % of aqueous NaOH, washed once withwater, and concentrated. The residue was purified by CombiFlash to give0.4 g of final product. An NMR spectrum showed that the product had astructure consistent with4-((2-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)-2-(((1,2,2,6,6-pentamethylpiperidin-4-yl)oxy)carbonyl)-8-((4-(trans-4-pentylcyclohexyl)benzoyl)oxy)octanoyl)oxy)-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidineas represented by the following graphic formula.

Example 3

Step 1

To a reaction flask under nitrogen, a mixture of1-bromo-4-(trans-4-pentylcyclohexyl)benzene (43.31 g, 0.285 mol),4-methoxyphenylboronic acid (88.1 g, 0.285 mol), dimethyl ethyleneglycol (500 mL), tetrakistriphenylphosphine palladium (0) (1.64 g, 1.4mmol), sodium carbonate (121 g, 1.14 mol) and water (570 mL) was added,degassed and then refluxed for 4 hours. After cooling to about 23° C.,methylene chloride (1 L) and water (500 mL) was added and the resultingmixture was stirred. The recovered organic layer was dried overanhydrous MgSO4, filtered and concentrated. The product was purified byrecrystallization from ethyl acetate to yield white crystals (82 g) asproduct. An NMR spectrum showed that the product had a structureconsistent with 4-methoxy-4′-(4-pentylcyclohexyl)-1,1′-biphenyl.

Step 2

The product of Step 1, 4-methoxy-4′-(4-pentylcyclohexyl)-1,1′-biphenyl(80 g), and pyridine hydrochloride (300 g) were added to a reactionflask and heated to 200° C. for one hour. The resulting mixture waspoured into water while hot. The product separated out as an oil. Thewater was decanted and the recovered product was dissolved in methylenechloride, washed with water and a saturated sodium bicarbonate watersolution several times, dried over anhydrous MgSO4 and thenconcentrated. The concentrated product was recrystallized using ethanolyielding white crystals as the product (75 g). An NMR spectrum showedthat the product had a structure consistent with4′-(trans-4-pentylcyclohexyl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-4-ol.

Step 3

A reaction flask containing a suspension of4-(4-pentylcyclohexylphenyl)phenol from Step 2 (6.45 g, 0.020 mol),6-chloro-1-hexanol (3.2 ml, 0.024 mol), potassium iodide (0.32 g, 0.002mol) and potassium carbonate anhydrous (6.91 g, 0.050 mol) in 50 ml ofdimethylacetamide was stirred and heated to about 130° C. for 10 hours.The solution was cooled to 70° C. and filtered. The recovered solid waswashed with 10 ml of dimethylacetamide. The filtrate was poured into1000 ml of water while stirring. A white solid was obtained afterfiltration and it was washed with water, purified by flashchromatography column to give 6.02 g. An NMR spectrum showed that theproduct had a structure consistent with of6-((4′-(trans-4-pentylcyclohexyl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-4-yl)oxy)hexan-1-ol.

Step 4

To a reaction flask containing a solution of6-((4′-(trans-4-pentylcyclohexyl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-4-yl)oxy)hexan-1-ol(40.0 g, 94.6 mmol) in 500 mL of dichloromethane was added dropwisetribromophosphine (27.87 g, 104.1 mmol). The reaction was stirred atabout 23° C. for two hours; the solvent was removed; and the product waspurified by column chromatography using silica gel eluting withhexane/ethyl acetate (80/20, v/v)) to yield the final product in a formof a white solid (18.0 g). An NMR spectrum showed that the product had astructure consistent with4-((6-bromohexyl)oxy)-4′-(trans-4-pentylcyclohexyl)-1,1′-biphenyl.

Step 5

A mixture of diethyl malonate (11.88 g, 74.1 mmol), sodium hydride (1.07g, 44.5 mmol) and 100 mL of tetrahydrofuran in a 500 mL single-necked,round-bottomed flask was stirred at about 23° C. under a nitrogenatmosphere for 30 minutes. A solution of4-((6-bromohexyl)oxy)-4′-(trans-4-pentylcyclohexyl)-1,1′-biphenyl (18.0g, 37.1 mmol) in 100 mL tetrahydrofuran was added dropwise. Theresulting mixture was heated to reflux for 30 min and then half of thesolvent was removed by a rotary evaporator. The mixture was poured into300 mL of icy water. The white precipitate that formed was collected anddried in air. Purification by column chromatography eluting withhexane/ethyl acetate (90/10, v/v) gave the final product in a form of awhite solid (19.5 g). An NMR spectrum showed that the product had astructure consistent with diethyl2-(6-((4′-(trans-4-pentylcyclohexyl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-4-yl)oxy)hexyl)malonate.

Step 6

A mixture of diethyl2-(6-((4′-(trans-4-pentylcyclohexyl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-4-yl)oxy)hexyl)malonate(9.0 g, 15.9 mmol), 1,2,2,6,6-pentamethylpiperidin-4-ol (10.92 g, 63.7mmol), and potassium tert-butoxide (0.36 g, 3.2 mmol) in 150 mL oftoluene in a 250 mL single-necked, round-bottomed flask was heated toreflux under Dean-Stark conditions with nitrogen atmosphere protectionfor about 24 hours. After removal of a low boiling point distillate, ablack sticky material remained so 200 mL of hexane was added. A milkysolution was obtained which was washed with hot water (about 60° C.)five times. The recovered organic phase was dried over anhydrousmagnesium sulfate and evaporated to dryness. A minimum amount ofdichloromethane was added to dissolve the product which was thenprecipitated in methanol. The precipitate was collected and dried underhigh vacuum to yield the final product in a form of a white solid (10.0g). An NMR spectrum showed that the product had a structure consistentwith1,2,2,6,6-pentamethyl-4-((2-(((1,2,2,6,6-pentamethylpiperidin-4-yl)oxy)carbonyl)-8-((4′-(trans-4-pentylcyclohexyl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-4-yl)oxy)octanoyl)oxy)piperidineas represented by the following graphic formula.

Example 4

A mixture of bis(1,2,2,6,6-pentamethylpiperidin-4-yl)2-(6-((4′-(trans-4-pentylcyclohexyl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-4-yl)oxy)hexyl)malonate(5.7 g, 7.0 mmol), 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-((dimethylamino)methyl)phenol(1.44 g, 8.4 mmol), and potassium tert-butoxide (0.16 g, 1.4 mmol) in200 mL of toluene in a 500 mL single-necked, round-bottomed flask washeated to reflux for about 24 hours. The resulting solution was dilutedwith 100 mL of hexane, washed with warm water (60° C.) three times with100 mL each time, dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate andconcentrated to provide a product residue. A minimal amount ofdichloromethane was used to dissolve the residue and the resultingsolution was poured into 200 mL of methanol. Product was recovered as aprecipitate (3.6 g). An NMR spectrum showed that the product had astructure consistent with4-((2-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)-2-(((1,2,2,6,6-pentamethylpiperidin-4-yl)oxy)carbonyl)-8-((4′-(trans-4-pentylcyclohexyl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-4-yl)oxy)octanoyl)oxy)-1,2,2,6,6-pentamethylpiperidineas represented by the following graphic formula.

Example 5

Step 1

To a round-bottomed flask were added [1,1′-biphenyl]-4,4′-diol (5.0 g,26.85 mmol), 3-bromo-1-propanol (8.21 g, 59.07 mmol), triphenylphosphine(16.9 g, 64.44 mmol) and 100 mL of tetrahydrofuran. The mixture wassonicated for a few minutes until a clear solution resulted. DIAD (13.03g, 64.44 mmol) was added dropwise to the reaction mixture over thecourse of two minutes while sonicating. The resulting solution wassonicated for one hour and the solvent was removed by evaporation. Theresulting residue was purified by chromatography on silica gel elutingwith hexane/ethyl acetate (90/10, v/v) to provide the final product in aform of a white solid (3.8 g). An NMR spectrum showed that the producthad a structure consistent with 4,4′-bis(3-bromopropoxy)-1,1′-biphenyl.

Step 2

The procedure of Step 5 of Example 3 was followed except that4,4′-bis(3-bromopropoxy)-1,1′-biphenyl, 3 equivalents of diethylmalonate and 2.4 equivalents of sodium hydride were used in place of4-((6-bromohexyl)oxy)-4′-(trans-4-pentylcyclohexyl)-1,1′-biphenyl, 2equivalents of diethyl malonate and 1.2 equivalents of sodium hydride.An NMR spectrum showed that the product had a structure consistent withtetraethyl2,2′-(([1,1′-biphenyl]-4,4′-diylbis(oxy))bis(propane-3,1-diyl))dimalonate

Step 3

The procedure of Step 6 of Example 3 was followed except that tetraethyl2,2′-(([1,1′-biphenyl]-4,4′-diylbis(oxy))bis(propane-3,1-diyl))dimalonate,8 equivalents of 1,2,2,6,6-pentamethylpiperidin-4-ol and 0.4 equivalentof potassium tert-butoxide were used in place of diethyl2-(6-((4′-(trans-4-pentylcyclohexyl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-4-yl)oxy)hexyl)malonate,4 equivalents of 1,2,2,6,6-pentamethylpiperidin-4-ol and 0.2 equivalentof potassium tert-butoxide. The product was recovered as a light yellowgel. An NMR spectrum showed that the product had a structure consistentwith1,2,2,6,6-pentamethyl-4-((5-((4′-((5-oxo-5-((1,2,2,6,6-pentamethylpiperidin-4-yl)oxy)-4-(((1,2,2,6,6-pentamethylpiperidin-4-yl)oxy)carbonyl)pentyl)oxy)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-4-yl)oxy)-2-(((1,2,2,6,6-pentamethylpiperidin-4-yl)oxy)carbonyl)pentanoyl)oxy)piperidineas represented by the following graphic formula.

Example 6

Step 1

A solution of DIAD (36 g, 166 mmol, 94%) in THF (100 ml) was addeddropwise to a reaction flask containing a mixture of bromohexanol (25 g,138 mmol, 1 eq.), triphenylphosphine (44 g, 166 mmol, 1.2 eq.),4-(benzyloxy)phenol (33 g, 1663 mmol, 1.2 eq.) and THF (150 ml). Themixture was stirred at about 23° C. for 24 h. The precipitate thatformed was filtered off and the filtrate was concentrated. The resultingresidue was purified by flash chromatography.

Step 2

The procedure of Step 2 of Example 1 was followed except that theproduct of Step 1 was used in place of2-((6-bromohexyl)oxy)tetrahydro-2H-pyran.

Step 3

The procedure of Step 3 of Example 1 was followed except that theproduct of Step 2 was used in place of diethyl2-(8-(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yloxy)hexyl)malonate. An NMR spectrum showedthat the product had a structure consistent withbis(1,2,2,6,6-pentamethylpiperidin-4-yl)2-(6-(4-(benzyloxy)phenoxy)hexyl)-2-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)malonate.

Step 4

Into a suitable container, the product of Step 3 was dissolved inisopropanol (220 ml) and the resulting mixture was degassed for 15minutes. Palladium on carbon and 1,4-cyclohexadiene were added and themixture was heated to 120° C. to reflux. The recovered product waspurified using ComBiFlash to provide the product 8.0 g. An NMR spectrumshowed that the product had a structure consistent withbis(1,2,2,6,6-pentamethylpiperidin-4-yl)2-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)-2-(6-(4-hydroxyphenoxy)hexyl)malonate.

Step 5

The procedure of Example 2 was followed except that the product of Step4 and trans-4-propylcyclohexanecarboxylic acid were used in place ofbis(1,2,2,6,6-pentamethylpiperidin-4-yl)2-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)-2-(6-hydroxyhexyl)malonate and4-(trans-4-pentylcyclohexyl)benzoic acid. An NMR spectrum showed thatthe product had a structure consistent with4-((2-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)-2-(((1,2,2,6,6-pentamethylpiperidin-4-yl)oxy)carbonyl)-8-(4-((trans-4-propylcyclohexanecarbonyl)oxy)phenoxy)octanoyl)oxy)-1,2,2,6,6-pentamethylpiperidineas represented by the following graphic formula.

Example 7

The procedure of Example 2 was followed except that the product of Step4 of Example 6 was used in place ofbis(1,2,2,6,6-pentamethylpiperidin-4-yl)2-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)-2-(6-hydroxyhexyl)malonate. An NMRspectrum showed that the product had a structure consistent with4-((2-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)-2-(((1,2,2,6,6-pentamethylpiperidin-4-yl)oxy)carbonyl)-8-(4-((4-(trans-4-propylcyclohexyl)benzoyl)oxy)phenoxy)octanoyl)oxy)-1,2,2,6,6-pentamethylpiperidineas represented by the following graphic formula.

Example 8

Step 1

A suspension in a reaction flask of1-bromo-4-(trans-4-pentylcyclohexyl)benzene (3000 g, 9.700 mol),4-hydroxyphenylboronic acid (1350 g, 9.788 mol), K₂CO₃ (5500 g, 39.79mol) and Pd(PPh₃)₄) (44.84 g, 0.0388 mol) in a mixed solvent of1,4-dioxane (12.5 L) and water (372 ml) was degassed and stirred at 110°C. for 12 hours. After the solution was cooled to about 23° C., it waspoured into water (65 L) with stirring. A grey solid was recovered byfiltration and it was washed with water. The solid was dissolved in THF(12.5 L). The solution was decolorized with active carbon (350 g) andfiltered through CELITE® filter aid. The filtrate was concentrated underreduced pressure and the resulting residue was poured into 4 L ofmethanol with stirring. White solid was recovered by filtration and itwas washed with methanol and dried to give 1840 g of product. An NMRspectrum showed that the product had a structure consistent with4′-(trans-4-pentylcyclohexyl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-4-ol.

Step 2

A suspension in a reaction flask of4′-(trans-4-pentylcyclohexyl)-[1,1-biphenyl]-4-ol (1.84 Kg, 5.71 mol),trans-cyclohexane-1,4-dicarboxylic acid (2.78 Kg, 16.13 mol), DBSA (1.31Kg, 4.03 mol) and DMAP (0.59 Kg, 4.84 mol) in DMF (25.00 L) was stirredfor 3 h. DCC (1.75 Kg, 8.46 mol) was added in batches. After DCCaddition, the suspension was stirred for 30 h at about 23° C. The solidwas filtered and washed with a little DMF. About one-third of the solidwas dissolved in THF (30 L) with stirring and then filtrated throughCELITE® filter aid. The filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressureand the resulting residue was poured into 4 L of ethanol with stirring.A white solid was recovered by filtration; washed with alcohol; anddried to give 588 g of product. The same work up was applied to theremaining two-thirds of the reaction mixture. An NMR spectrum showedthat the product had a structure consistent withtrans-4-(((4′-(trans-4-pentylcyclohexyl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-4-yl)oxy)carbonyl)cyclohexanecarboxylicacid.

Step 3

The procedure of Example 2 was followed except that the product of Step2 and the product of Step 4 of Example 6 were used in place ofbis(1,2,2,6,6-pentamethylpiperidin-4-yl)2-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)-2-(6-hydroxyhexyl)malonate and4-(trans-4-pentylcyclohexyl)benzoic acid. An NMR spectrum showed thatthe product had a structure consistent with4-((2-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)-2-(((1,2,2,6,6-pentamethylpiperidin-4-yl)oxy)carbonyl)-8-(4-((trans-4-(((4′-(trans-4-pentylcyclohexyl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-4-yl)oxy)carbonyl)cyclohexanecarbonyl)oxy)-phenoxy)octanoyl)oxy)-1,2,2,6,6-pentamethylpiperidineas represented by the following graphic formula.

Example 9

The procedure of Example 2 was followed except that the product of Step4 of Example 6 and trans-cyclohexane-1,4-dicarboxylic acid was used inplace of bis(1,2,2,6,6-pentamethylpiperidin-4-yl)2-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)-2-(6-hydroxyhexyl)malonate and4-(trans-4-pentylcyclohexyl)benzoic acid. An NMR spectrum showed thatthe product had a structure consistent with4-((2-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)-8-(4-((trans-4-((4-((7-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)-8-oxo-8-((1,2,2,6,6-pentamethylpiperidin-4-yl)oxy)-7-(((1,2,2,6,6-pentamethylpiperidin-4-yl)oxy)carbonyl)octyl)oxy)phenoxy)carbonyl)cyclohexanecarbonyl)oxy)phenoxy)-2-(((1,2,2,6,6-pentamethylpiperidin-4-yl)oxy)carbonyl)octanoyl)oxy)-1,2,2,6,6-pentamethylpiperidineas represented by the following graphic formula.

Example 10

Step 1

A suspension in a reaction flask of 4-methylbenzoic acid (1633.8 g, 12mol) in toluene (1000 ml) was stirred and heated to about 60° C. DMF (1mL) was added to the suspension as a catalyst. The temperature was keptbetween 55-65° C. Thionyl chloride (2141.5 g, 18 mol) was added and theresulting solution was stirred for 6 hours at 75° C. Toluene and theexcessive thionyl chloride were removed under reduced pressure.Decompression distillation was used to recover the product (1740 g)4-methylbenzoic chloride. This step was repeated to prepare enoughproduct for Step 2.

Step 2

A mixture of hydroquinone (2368 g, 21.5 mol) and Na₂CO₃ (2279 g, 21.5mol) was dissolved in water (21.5 L) in a 50 L reactor kept filled withnitrogen and bathed in water. 4-Methylbenzoic chloride from Step 1 (2770g, 17.92 mol) was added dropwise to this solution and it was stirred for4 hours at about 23° C. The solid that formed was filtered, washed withwater, and dissolved in a mixture of CH₂Cl₂ and methanol (volume 1:2).Water was added to the resulting solution and the solid productseparated out again. The recovered product was dissolved in EtOAc, waterwas removed and the resulting solution was dried with MgSO4. Afterremoval of the EtOAc under reduced pressure the product (2.76 Kg) wasobtained without further purification.

Step 3

A suspension in a reaction flask of methyl 4-hydroxy benzoate (609 g, 4mol), 6-chloro-1-hexanol (656 g, 4.8 mol), sodium iodide hydrate (74.4g, 0.4 mol), and sodium carbonate anhydrous (848 g, 8 mol) in 2000 mL ofdimethylacetamide was stirred and heated to about 115° C. for 8 hours.The solution was cooled to about 23° C. and filtered. The recoveredsolid was washed with 500 mL of dimethylacetamide. The filtrate wasconcentrated under reduced pressure and the resulting residue was pouredinto 10 L of water with stirring. A white solid was obtained; washedwith water; and used in next step without further purification.

Step 4

Product from Step 3 was added with stirring to a reaction flaskcontaining sodium hydroxide (192 g, 4.8 mol), water (768 mL), andethanol (2000 mL) and heated to reflux for 0.5 hour. The solution wascooled to 65° C. and acidified to a pH of 4 by the addition of 912 mL of10% HCl solution. A large amount of white solid formed. The solid wasfiltered and washed with water and dried to yield the desired product(892 g). An NMR spectrum showed that the product had a structureconsistent with 4-(6-hydroxyhexyloxy)benzoic acid.

Step 5

The procedure of Step 1 of Example 1 was followed except that theproduct of Step 4 was used in place of bromohexanol. An NMR spectrumshowed that the product had a structure consistent with4-((6-((tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)oxy)hexyl)oxy)benzoic acid.

Step 6

The procedure of Example 2 was followed except that the product of Step2 above and the product of Step 5 above were used in place ofbis(1,2,2,6,6-pentamethylpiperidin-4-yl)2-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)-2-(6-hydroxyhexyl)malonate and4-(trans-4-pentylcyclohexyl)benzoic acid. An NMR spectrum showed thatthe product had a structure consistent with4-((4-methylbenzoyl)oxy)phenyl4-((6-((tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)oxy)hexyl)oxy)benzoate.

Step 7

The procedure of Step 4 of Example 1 was followed except that theproduct of Step 6 above was used in place ofbis(1,2,2,6,6-pentamethylpiperidin-4-yl)2-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)-2-(6-((tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)oxy)hexyl)malonate.An NMR spectrum showed that the product had a structure consistent with4-((4-((6-hydroxyhexyl)oxy)benzoyl)oxy)phenyl 4-methylbenzoate.

Step 8

The procedure of Step 1 of Example 6 was followed except that theproduct of Step 4 of Example 6 and the product of Step 7 above were usedin place of bromohexanol and 4-(benzyloxy)phenol. An NMR spectrum showedthat the product had a structure consistent with4-((2-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)-8-(4-((6-(4-((4-((4-methylbenzoyl)oxy)phenoxy)carbonyl)phenoxy)hexyl)oxy)phenoxy)-2-(((1,2,2,6,6-pentamethylpiperidin-4-yl)oxy)carbonyl)octanoyl)oxy)-1,2,2,6,6-pentamethylpiperidineas represented by the following graphic formula.

Example 11

The procedure of Example 2 was followed except that the product of Step4 of Example 6 and [1,1′-biphenyl]-4,4′-dicarboxylic acid was used inplace of bis(1,2,2,6,6-pentamethylpiperidin-4-yl)2-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)-2-(6-hydroxyhexyl)malonate and4-(trans-4-pentylcyclohexyl)benzoic acid. An NMR spectrum showed thatthe product had a structure consistent with4-((2-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)-8-(4-((4′-((4-((7-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)-8-oxo-8-((1,2,2,6,6-pentamethylpiperidin-4-yl)oxy)-7-(((1,2,2,6,6-pentamethylpiperidin-4-yl)oxy)carbonyl)octyl)oxy)phenoxy)carbonyl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-4-carbonyl)oxy)phenoxy)-2-(((1,2,2,6,6-pentamethylpiperidin-4-yl)oxy)carbonyl)octanoyl)oxy)-1,2,2,6,6-pentamethylpiperidineas represented by the following graphic formula.

Part 2—Liquid Crystal Coating Components and Formulations

“LCM” represents liquid crystal monomers.

“PC” represents photochromic materials.

“LCCF” represents liquid crystal coating formulation.

LCM-1 is1-(6-(8-(4-(4-(4-(8-acryloyloxyhexylloxy)benzoyloxy)phenyloxycarbonyl)phenoxy)octyloxy)-6-oxohexyloxy)-6-oxohexyloxy)-6-oxohexyloxy)-6-oxohexyloxy)-6-oxohexyloxy)-6-oxohexyloxy)-6-oxohexyloxy)-6-oxohexan-1-olwhich was prepared according to the procedures described in Example 17of U.S. Pat. No. 7,910,019, which liquid crystal monomer disclosure isincorporated herein by reference.

LCM-2 is commercially available RM257 reported to be4-(3-acryloyloxypropyroxy)-benzoic acid 2-methyl-1,4-phenylene ester,available from EMD Chemicals, Inc., having the molecular formula ofC₃₃H₃₂O₁₀.

LCM-3 is1-(6-(4-(4-(trans-4-pentylcyclohexyl)phenoxycarbonyl)phenoxy)hexyloxy)-2-methylprop-2-en-1-oneprepared according to the procedure of Example 1 in U.S. Pat. No.7,910,019, except that n=0, which disclosure is incorporated herein byreference.

LCM-4 is1-(6-(6-(6-(6-(6-(6-(6-(8-(4-(4-(4-hexyloxybenzoyloxy)phenoxycarbonyl)-phenoxy)octyloxy)-6-oxohexyloxy)-6-oxohexyloxy)-6-oxohexyloxy)-6-oxohexyloxy)-6-oxohexyloxy)-6-oxohexyloxy)-6-oxohexyloxy)-2-methylprop-2-en-1-oneprepared according to the procedures of U.S. Pat. No. 7,910,019, whichdisclosure is incorporated herein by reference.

PC-A is an indenonaphthopyran that demonstrates a yellow color uponactivation.

PC-B is an indenonaphthopyran that demonstrates a blue-green color uponactivation.

PC-C is an indenonaphthopyran that demonstrates a blue color uponactivation.

PC-D is an indenonaphthopyran that demonstrates a blue color uponactivation.

PC-E is an indenonaphthopyran that demonstrates a blue color uponactivation.

TABLE 1 Photochromic Dyes in Grey Coloring Formulations 1 & 2, (Reportedin weight percent based on the total weight of the coloring formulation)Photochromic GREY-1 GREY-2 PC-A 25.0 23.0 PC-B 17.0 15.0 PC-C 20.0 10.0PC-D 18.0 25.0 PC-E 20.0 27.0

LCCF-1 was prepared as follows:

To a suitable flask containing a mixture of anisole (3.99 g) and BYK-322additive 0.004 g, reported to be an aralkyl modifiedpoly-methyl-alkyl-siloxane available from BYK Chemie, USA), was addedLCM-1 (1.08 g), LCM-2 (2.4 g), LCM-3 (1.08 g), LCM-4 (1.44 g), Grey-1(0.78 g), 4-methoxyphenol (0.006 g), and IRGACURE® 819 (0.09 g, aphotoinitiator available from Ciba-Geigy Corporation). The amount ofGrey-1 added to LCCF-1 was 13 weight percent of total monomer solids.Examples 1 and 2, together in a mole ratio of 1:1.08, respectively, and5, separately were added to LCCF-1 at a molar ratio of 1:3 (Example #:Grey-1). Examples 9, 10 and 11 were added but did not dissolve, so nofurther testing was performed. The resulting mixture was stirred for 2hours at 80° C. and cooled to about 26° C. Grey-1 Control contained thesame materials as LCCF-1 except without the Example.

LCCF-2 was prepared following the procedure used to prepare LCCF-1except that Grey 2 was added to the mixture and Examples 3, 4, 6, 7 and8 were added to LCCF-2 at a molar ratio of 1:3 (Example #: Grey-2). Theamount of Grey-2 added to LCCF-2 was equivalent to 12 weight percent oftotal monomer solids. Grey-2 Control contained the same materials asLCCF-2 except without the Example.

Part 3—Preparation of Photoalignment Coating Solution

A solution of a photoalignment material of the type described in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 12/959,467 filed on Dec. 3, 2010, whichapplication is incorporated herein by reference was prepared by adding 6weight percent of the photoalignment material to cyclopentanone, basedon the total weight of the solution.

Part 4—Preparation of Transitional Layer Coating Formulation (TLCF)

The TLCF was prepared as follows:

In a 50 mL amber glass bottle equipped with a magnetic stir-barfollowing materials were added:

-   -   Hydroxy methacrylate (1.242 g) from Sigma-Aldrich;    -   Neopentyl glycol diacrylate (13.7175 g) SR247 from Sartomer;    -   Trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate (2.5825 g) SR350 from        Sartomer;    -   DESMODUR® PL 340 (5.02 g) from Bayer Material Science;    -   IRGACURE®-819 (0.0628 g) from Ciba Speciality Chemicals;    -   DAROCUR® TPO (0.0628 g; from Ciba Speciality Chemicals,    -   Polybutyl acrylate (0.125 g),    -   3-Aminopropylpropyltrimethoxysilane (1.4570 g) A-1100 from        Momentive Performance Materials; and    -   200 proof absolute anhydrous Ethanol (1.4570 g) from        Pharmaco-Aaper. To the TLCF of Examples 6, 7 and 8, Tinuvin 1130        (0.5145 g) from Ciba Specialty Chemicals was added.

The resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2 hrs.

Part 5—Procedures Used for Preparing and Coating the Substrates

Square substrates measuring 5.08 cm by 5.08 cm by 0.318 cm (2 inches(in.) by 2 in. by 0.125 in.) prepared from CR-39® monomer were obtainedfrom Homalite, Inc were used for Examples 3 and 4. Finished singlevision lenses (6 base, 70 mm) prepared from CR-39® monomer were alsoused for Examples 1 and 2, and 5-8. Each substrate prepared from CR-39®monomer was cleaned by wiping with a tissue soaked with acetone anddried with a stream of air.

Each of the aforementioned substrates was corona treated by passing on aconveyor belt in Tantec EST Systems Serial No. 020270 Power Generator HV2000 series corona treatment equipment with a high voltage transformer.The substrates were exposed to corona generated by 53.99 KV, 500 Wattswhile traveling on a conveyor at a belt speed 3 ft/min.

Coating Procedure for Photoalignment Materials

The photoalignment coating solution prepared in Part 3 was applied tothe test substrates by spin-coating on a portion of the surface of thetest substrate by dispensing approximately 1.0 mL of the solution andspinning the substrates at 800 revolutions per minute (rpm) for 3seconds, followed by 1,000 rpm for 7 seconds, followed by 2500 rpm for 4seconds. A spin processor from Laurell Technologies Corp.(WS-400B-6NPP/LITE) was used for spin coating. Afterwards, the coatedsubstrates were placed in an oven maintained at 120° C. for 30 minutes.The coated substrates were cooled to about 26° C.

The dried photoalignment layer on each of the substrates was at leastpartially ordered by exposure to linearly polarized ultravioletradiation using a DYMAX® UVC-6 UV/conveyor system by DYMAX® Corp. havinga 400 Watt power supply. The light source was oriented such that theradiation was linearly polarized in a plane perpendicular to the surfaceof the substrate. The amount of ultraviolet radiation that eachphotoalignment layer was exposed to was measured using a UV Power Puck™High energy radiometer from EIT Inc (Serial No. 2066) and was asfollows: UVA 0.126 W/cm² and 5.962 J/cm²; UVB 0.017 W/cm² and 0.078J/cm²; UVC 0 W/cm² and 0 J/cm²; and UVV 0.046 W/cm² and 2.150 J/cm².After ordering at least a portion of the photo-orientable polymernetwork, the substrates were cooled to about 26° C. and kept covered.

Coating Procedure for Liquid Crystal Coating Formulations

The Liquid Crystal Coating Formulations (“LCCF”) prepared in Part 2 wereeach spin coated at a rate of 400 revolutions per minute (rpm) for 6seconds, followed by 800 rpm for 6 seconds onto the at least partiallyordered photoalignment materials prepared as described above on the testsubstrates. Each coated substrate was placed in an oven at 60° C. for 30minutes. Afterwards the substrates were cured under two ultravioletlamps in the UV Curing Oven Machine designed and built by BelcanEngineering in nitrogen atmosphere while running on a conveyor belt at 2ft/min speed at peak intensity of 0.445 Watts/cm² of UVA and 0.179Watts/cm² of UVV and UV dosage of 2.753 Joules/cm² of UVA and 1.191Joules/cm² of UVV. The cured layers were exposed to corona generated by53.00 KV, 500 Watts while traveling on a conveyor at a belt speed 3ft/min.

Coating Procedure for Transitional Layer

The Transitional layer solution prepared in Part 4 was spin coated at arate of 1,400 revolutions per minute (rpm) for 7 seconds onto the curedLCCF coated substrates of Examples 6, 7 and 8 prepared as describedabove. Afterwards the coated substrates were cured under two ultravioletlamps in the UV Curing Oven Machine designed and built by BelcanEngineering in nitrogen atmosphere while running on a conveyor belt at 6ft/min speed at peak intensity of 1.887 Watts/cm² of UVA and 0.694Watts/cm² of UVV and UV dosage of 4.699 Joules/cm² of UVA and 1.787Joules/cm² of UVV. The cured transitional layers were exposed to coronagenerated by 53.00 KV, 500 Watts while traveling on a conveyor at a beltspeed 3 ft/min. Post curing of the coated substrates was completed at105° C. for 3 hours.

Part 6—Measurements

Measurement of Clearing Temperatures upon Heating and Cooling

Approximately 0.1-5 mg of a sample of each of the Examples listed inTable 2 was applied to a VWR Vista Vision™ microscope slide. AFISHERFINEST® Premium cover glass was applied to the sample. Theresulting microscope slide was placed onto an INSTEC® HCS302 hot stagethat was mounted on the sample stage of an OLYMPUS® BX51 polarized lightmicroscope so that the sample spot was in the optical path of themicroscope. The microscope was also equipped with an INSTEC® STC200temperature controller, so that the temperature of the hot stage wascontrolled, and a DIAGNOSTIC INSTRUMENTS 11.2 Color Mosaic camera, sothat the clearing temperature upon heating and cooling could be observedfrom a computer display. All of the samples of the Examples listed inTable 2 demonstrated the Nematic phase. Clearing temperatures weremeasured by observing the samples during heating at a rate of 1° C./minstarting at 25° C. Cooling temperatures were observed after turning offthe heat. The 1^(st) Grey-2 Control and 2^(nd) Grey-2 Control reportedlater each had the same Clearing temperature upon Heating and Cooling.

TABLE 2 Clearing Temperature Data Clearing Temperature ClearingTemperature Example No. upon Heating (° C.) upon Cooling (° C.) Grey-1Control 81 76 Grey-2 Control 82 74 Example 1 and 2 78 73 Example 3 78 74Example 4 79 76 Example 5 78 73 Example 6 77 72 Example 7 77 72 Example8 78 73

Photochromic Performance Tests including Absorption Ratio, OpticalResponse Measurements and Fatigue

Prior to response testing on an optical bench, the substrates wereconditioned by exposing them to 365 nm ultraviolet light for 10 minutesat a distance of about 14 cm from the source in order to pre-activatethe photochromic molecules. The UVA irradiance at the sample wasmeasured with a Licor Model Li-1800 spectroradiometer and found to be22.2 Watts per square meter. The samples were then placed under ahalogen lamp (500 W, 120 V) for about 10 minutes at a distance of about36 cm from the lamp in order to bleach, or inactivate, the photochromiccompound in the samples. The illuminance at the sample was measured withthe Licor spectroradiometer and found to be 21.9 Klux. The samples werethen kept in a dark environment for at least 1 hour prior to testing inorder to cool and continue to fade back to a ground state.

An optical bench was used to measure the optical properties of thecoated substrates and derive the absorption ratio and photochromicproperties. Each test sample was placed on the optical bench with anactivating light source (a Newport/Oriel Model 66485 300-Watt Xenon arclamp fitted with a UNIBLITZ® VS-25 high-speed computer controlledshutter that momentarily closed during data collection so that straylight would not interfere with the data collection process, a SCHOTT® 3mm KG-2 band-pass filter, which removed short wavelength radiation,neutral density filter(s) for intensity attenuation and a condensinglens for beam collimation) positioned at a 30° to 35° angle of incidenceto the surface of the test sample. The arc lamp was equipped with alight intensity controller (Newport/Oriel model 68950).

A broadband light source for monitoring response measurements waspositioned in a perpendicular manner to a surface of the test sample.Increased signal of shorter visible wavelengths was obtained bycollecting and combining separately filtered light from a 100-Watttungsten halogen lamp (controlled by a constant voltage powder supply)with a split-end, bifurcated fiber optical cable. Light from one side ofthe tungsten halogen lamp was filtered with a SCHOTT® KG1 filter toabsorb heat and a HOYA® B-440 filter to allow passage of the shorterwavelengths. The other side of the light was either filtered with aSCHOTT® KG1 filter or unfiltered. The light was collected by focusinglight from each side of the lamp onto a separate end of the split-end,bifurcated fiber optic cable, and subsequently combined into one lightsource emerging from the single end of the cable. A 4″ or 6″ light pipewas attached to the single end of the cable to insure proper mixing. Thebroad band light source was fitted with a UNIBLITZ® VS-25 high-speedcomputer controlled shutter that momentarily opened during datacollection.

Polarization of the light source was achieved by passing the light fromthe single end of the cable through a Moxtek, PROFLUX® Polarizer held ina computer driven, motorized rotation stage (Model M-061-PD fromPolytech, PI or equivalent). The monitoring beam was set so that the onepolarization plane (0°) was perpendicular to the plane of the opticalbench table and the second polarization plane (90°) was parallel to theplane of the optical bench table. The samples were run in air, at 23°C.±0.1° C. maintained by a temperature controlled air cell.

To align each sample, a second polarizer was added to the optical path.The second polarizer was set to 90° of the first polarizer. The samplewas placed in an air cell in a self-centering holder mounted on arotation stage. A laser beam (Coherent-ULN 635 diode laser) was directedthrough the crossed polarizers and sample. The sample was rotated (in 3°steps as coarse moves and in 0.1° steps as fine moves) to find theminimum transmission. At this point the sample was aligned eitherparallel or perpendicular to the Moxtek polarizer and the secondpolarizer as well as the diode laser beam was removed from the opticalpath. The sample was aligned within ±0.5° prior to any activation.

To conduct the measurements, each test sample was exposed to 6.7 W/m² ofUVA from the activating light source for 10 to 20 minutes to activatethe photochromic compound. An International Light Research Radiometer(Model IL-1700) with a detector system (Model SED033 detector, B Filter,and diffuser) was used to verify exposure at the beginning of each day.Light from the monitoring source that was polarized to the 0°polarization plane was then passed through the coated sample and focusedinto a 1° integrating sphere, which was connected to an OCEAN OPTICS®S2000 spectrophotometer or equivalent using a single function fiberoptic cable. The spectral information, after passing through the sample,was collected using OCEAN OPTICS® OOIBase32 and OOIColor software, andPPG propriety software. While the photochromic material was activated,the position of the polarizing sheet was rotated back and forth topolarize the light from the monitoring light source to the 90°polarization plane and back. Data was collected for approximately 600 to1200 seconds at 5-second intervals during activation. For each test,rotation of the polarizers was adjusted to collect data in the followingsequence of polarization planes: 0°, 90°, 90°, 0°, etc.

Absorption spectra were obtained and analyzed for each test sample usingthe Igor Pro software (available from WaveMetrics). The change in theabsorbance in each polarization direction for each test sample wascalculated by subtracting out the 0 time (i.e., unactivated) absorptionmeasurement for the samples at each wavelength tested. Averageabsorbance values were obtained in the region of the activation profilewhere the photochromic response of the photochromic compound wassaturated or nearly saturated (i.e., the regions where the measuredabsorbance did not increase or did not increase significantly over time)for each sample by averaging absorbance at each time interval in thisregion. The average absorbance values in a predetermined range ofwavelengths corresponding A_(max-vis)+/−5 nm were extracted for the 0°and 90° polarizations, and the absorption ratio for each wavelength inthis range was calculated by dividing the larger average absorbance bythe small average absorbance. For each wavelength extracted, 5 to 100data points were averaged. The average absorption ratio for thephotochromic compound was then calculated by averaging these individualabsorption ratios.

Change in optical density (ΔOD) from the bleached state to the darkenedstate was determined by establishing the initial transmittance, openingthe shutter from the xenon lamp to provide ultraviolet radiation tochange the test lens from the bleached state to an activated (i.e.,darkened) state. Data was collected at selected intervals of time,measuring the transmittance in the activated state, and calculating thechange in optical density according to the formula: ΔOD=log(% Tb/% Ta),where % Tb is the percent transmittance in the bleached state, % Ta isthe percent transmittance in the activated state and the logarithm is tothe base 10. Measurements were made at a weighted wavelength rangecorresponding to CIE Y, described in CIE Technical Report, Colorimetry,CIE 15:2004, 3^(rd) Edition, published by the Commission InternationaleDe L'Eclairage, Vienna, Austria, which publication is incorporatedherein by reference.

The fade half life (T1/2) is the time interval in seconds for the ΔOD ofthe activated form of the photochromic compounds in the test samples toreach one half the ΔOD measured after fifteen minutes, or aftersaturation or near-saturation was achieved, at room temperature afterremoval of the source of activating light, e.g., by closing the shutter.The ΔOD, fade half life and absorption ratio were all determined priorto fatigue testing.

An Atlas Ci4000 Weather-Ometer® was used for conducting the simulatedsolar radiation accelerated weathering, i.e., fatigue. The samples wereexposed for a 1 hour dark cycle and then a 65 hour light cycle using aboro/boro silicate filtered Xenon arc lamp with an output of 0.25 Wattsper square meter at 340 nm. The temperature in the Atlas Ci4000Weather-Ometer® was maintained at 45° C. and the relative humidity wascontrolled at 70% humidity. The temperature of the black panel which hasa thermometer connected to it and is representative of the test sampleswas maintained at 55° C.

After the samples underwent this UV exposure fatigue cycle, they werepreconditioned and measured on the optical bench to obtain the finalΔOD_(final) under the same conditions as described for the initialtesting. The percent fatigue was determined by measuring the differencebetween the change in optical density (ΔOD) of the test sample beforeand after accelerated weathering according to the formula: %Fatigue=(ΔOD_(init)−ΔOD_(final))/ΔOD_(init)×100.

Also determined was the delta b* value. The delta b* value was themeasured difference in the bleach state b* value as determined by themeasured b*_(init) on the Hunter UltraScan Pro unit prior to exposure inthe Atlas Ci4000 Weather-Ometer® minus the measured b*_(final) value onthe bleached state of the lens after this UV exposure fatigue cycle of65 hours. The delta b* represents the amount of yellowing of the lensthat occurs during fatigue.

The test results reported in Table 3 were for square substrates preparedas described in Part 4 having a photoalignment layer coated with LCCF-2containing Examples 3 or 4. A 1^(st) Grey-2 Control was also included.The test results reported in Table 4 were for finished single visionlenses prepared as described in Part 4 having a photoalignment layercoated with LCCF-2 containing Examples 6, 7 or 8. A 2^(nd) Grey-2Control was also included. The test results reported in Table 5 were forfinished single vision lenses prepared as described in Part 4 having aphotoalignment layer coated with LCCF-1 containing Examples 1 and 2 or5. A Grey-1 Control was also included. All test results were anarithmetic average of duplicate tests. The percent Fatigue after 65hours for Example 5 were higher than expected possibly due to poorsample alignment.

TABLE 3 Results for Examples 3 and 4 Compared to 1^(st) Grey-2 ControlExample T½ % Fatigue Δb* # ΔOD AR (sec) (65 hr) (65 hr) 1^(st) Grey-20.60 3.8 186 41 8.3 Control 3 0.58 4.7 190 25 6.2 4 0.59 4.3 182 20 5.2

TABLE 4 Results for Examples 6, 7 and 8 Compared to 2^(nd) Grey-2Control Example T½ % Fat Δb* # ΔOD AR (sec) (65 hr) (65 hr) 2^(nd)Grey-2 0.60 3.8 186 42 8.1 Control 6 0.62 3.7 176 30 5.3 7 0.63 4.0 18933 5.3 8 0.58 2.2 181 32 4.3

TABLE 5 Results for Examples 1 & 2 and 5 Compared to Grey-1 ControlExample T½ % Fat Δb* # ΔOD AR (sec) (65 hr) (65 hr) Grey-1 0.60 4.2 13325 9.2 Control 1 & 2 0.64 3.4 126 19 5.5 5 0.62 3.7 190 43 5.6

The present invention has been described with reference to specificdetails of particular embodiments thereof. It is not intended that suchdetails be regarded as limitations upon the scope of the inventionexcept insofar as and to the extent that they are included in theaccompanying claims.

We claim:
 1. A compound represented by the following Formula Ia,

wherein each R¹ is independently selected from hydrogen, hydrocarbyl andsubstituted hydrocarbyl each optionally interrupted with at least one of—O—, —S—, —C(O)—, —C(O)O—, —OC(O)O—, —S(O)—, —SO₂—, —N(R⁹)—, and—Si(R⁹)(R¹⁰)— wherein R⁹ and R¹⁰ are each independently selected fromhydrogen, hydrocarbyl and substituted hydrocarbyl, and combinations oftwo or more thereof, R², R³, R⁴ and R⁵ are each independently selectedfrom hydrocarbyl and substituted hydrocarbyl, each R⁶ is independentlyselected from hydrogen, OH, hydrocarbyl and substituted hydrocarbyl eachoptionally interrupted with at least one of —O—, —S—, —C(O)—, —C(O)O—,—OC(O)O—, —S(O)—, —SO₂—, —N(R⁹)—, and —Si(R⁹)(R¹⁰)— wherein R⁹ and R¹⁰are each independently selected from hydrogen, hydrocarbyl andsubstituted hydrocarbyl, and combinations of two or more thereof, R⁷ isa multivalent linking group selected from multivalent hydrocarbyl andmultivalent substituted hydrocarbyl each optionally interrupted with atleast one of —O—, —S—, —C(O)—, —C(O)O—, —OC(O)O—, —S(O)—, —SO₂—,—N(R⁹)—, and —Si(R⁹)(R¹⁰)—wherein R⁹ and R¹⁰ are each independentlyselected from hydrogen, hydrocarbyl and substituted hydrocarbyl, andcombinations of two or more thereof, L¹ is a divalent linking groupselected from a bond, divalent hydrocarbyl and divalent substitutedhydrocarbyl, and combinations of two or more thereof, t is 1 to 4, m is,independently for each t, from 0 to 4, L² is, independently for each m,selected from divalent C₁-C₂₅ linear or branched alkyl and divalentC₂-C₂₅ linear or branched alkenyl, in each case optionally interruptedwith at least one of —O—, —S—, —C(O)—, —C(O)O—, —OC(O)O—, —S(O)—, —SO₂—,—N(R⁹)—, and —Si(R⁹)(R¹⁰)— wherein R⁹ and R¹⁰ are each independentlyselected from hydrogen, hydrocarbyl and substituted hydrocarbyl, andcombinations of two or more thereof, p is, independently for each t,from 0 to 4, provided the sum of m and p is at least 1 for each t, L³is, independently for each p, represented by the following Formula II,

Y is, independently for each p, a divalent linking group selected from abond, —O—, and —S—, v and u are each independently, for each p, selectedfrom 0 to 5, provided that the sum of v and u is at least 1 for each pthat is greater than zero, Z is, independently for each v, a divalentlinking group selected from a bond, —O—, —S—, —C(O)—, —C(O)O—, —OC(O)O—,—S(O)—, —SO₂—, —N(R⁹)—, —N(R⁹)—C(O)—O—, —C(O)—N(R⁹)—, and —Si(R⁹)(R¹⁰)—wherein R⁹ and R¹⁰ are each independently selected from hydrogen,hydrocarbyl and substituted hydrocarbyl, the divalent rings,

are each independently selected, for each v and each u, fromphenylen-1,4-diyl, or substituted phenylen-1,4-diyl, orcyclohexan-1,4-diyl, or substituted cyclohexan-1,4-diyl, orpyrimidin-2,5-diyl, or substituted pyrimidin-2,5-diyl, orpyridine-2,5-diyl, or substituted pyridine-2,5-diyl, ornaphthalene-2,6-diyl, or substituted naphthalene-2,6-diyl, or1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene-2,6-diyl, or1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene-2,6-diyl in which the aromatic ring issubstituted, or decahydronaphthalene-2,6-diyl, or indane-2,5(6)-diyl, orfluorene-2,-7-diyl, or phenanthrene-2,7-diyl, or9,10-dihydrophenanthrene-2,7-diyl, or (1,3,4)thiadiazol-2,5-diyl, or(1,3)thiazol-2,5-diyl, or (1,3)thiazol-2,4-diyl, or thiophen-2,4-diyl,or thiophen-2,5-diyl, or (1,3)dioxan-2,5-diyl, or piperidin-1,4-diyl, orpiperazin-1,4-diyl, and E is selected from hydrogen, hydrocarbyl andsubstituted hydrocarbyl each optionally interrupted with at least one of—O—, —S—, —C(O)—, —C(O)O—, —OC(O)O—, —S(O)—, —SO₂—, —N(R⁹)— and—Si(R⁹)(R¹⁰)— wherein R⁹ and R¹⁰ are each independently selected fromhydrocarbyl and substituted hydrocarbyl, and combinations of two or morethereof, provided that a direct L¹-L² link between L¹ and L² is free oftwo heteroatoms linked together, a direct L¹-L³ link between L¹ and L³is free of two heteroatoms linked together, and each direct L²-L³ linkbetween each directly linked L² and L³ is free of two heteroatoms linkedtogether.
 2. The compound of claim 1, wherein, each R¹ is independentlyselected from hydrogen, linear or branched C₁-C₂₅ alkyl, linear orbranched C₂-C₂₅ alkenyl, each optionally interrupted with a groupselected from cyclohexylen-1,4-diyl, —O—, —C(O)—, and —Si(CH₃)₂—, andeach optionally having at least one hydrogen replaced with F, R², R³, R⁴and R⁵ are each independently selected from linear or branched C₁-C₁₀alkyl, each R⁶ is independently selected from hydrogen, linear orbranched C₁-C₂₅ alkyl, linear or branched C₂-C₂₅ alkenyl, eachoptionally interrupted with a group selected from cyclohexylen-1,4-diyl,—O—, —O(O)—, and —Si(CH₃)₂—, and each optionally having at least onehydrogen replaced with F, multivalent linking group R⁷ is selected frommultivalent C₁-C₂₅ linear or branched alkyl; multivalent optionallysubstituted C₃-C₁₂ cycloalkyl; multivalent optionally substituted C₃-C₁₂heterocycloalkyl; multivalent optionally substituted aryl; multivalentoptionally substituted heteroaryl, and combinations thereof, and saidmultivalent linking group R⁷ optionally further comprising at least onedivalent linking group selected from —CH═CH—, —C≡C—, —O—, —S—, —C(O)—,—C(O)O—, —OC(O)O—, —S(O)—, and —SO₂—, and combinations of two or morethereof, divalent linking group L¹ is selected from a bond, and divalentlinear or branched C₁-C₂₅ alkyl, m is at least 1 for at least one t, L²is, independently for each m, selected from divalent linear or branchedC₁-C₂₅ alkyl optionally interrupted with at least one of —O—, —C(O)O—,and —OC(O)O—, p is at least 1 for at least one t, Z is, independentlyfor each v, selected from a bond, —O— and —C(O)O—, the divalent rings,

are each independently selected, for each v and each u, fromphenylen-1,4-diyl, or substituted phenylen-1,4-diyl, orcyclohexan-1,4-diyl, or substituted cyclohexan-1,4-diyl, provided thatat least one divalent ring-A and at least one divalent ring-B are eachindependently selected from phenylen-1,4-diyl, or substitutedphenylen-1,4-diyl, and E is selected from hydrogen, linear or branchedC₁-C₂₅ alkyl, linear or branched C₂-C₂₅ alkenyl, each optionallyinterrupted with at least one of —O— and —C(O)O—.
 3. The compound ofclaim 2, wherein, each R¹ is independently selected from hydrogen, andlinear or branched C₁-C₈ alkyl, R², R³, R⁴ and R⁵ are each independentlyselected from linear or branched C₁-C₆ alkyl, each R⁶ is independentlyselected from hydrogen, and linear or branched C₁-C₈ alkyl, multivalentlinking group R⁷ is selected from multivalent C₁-C₁₂ linear or branchedalkyl, and said multivalent linking group R⁷ optionally furthercomprising at least one divalent linking group selected from —O—,—C(O)—, —C(O)O—, —OC(O)O—, and combinations of two or more thereof,divalent linking group L¹ is selected from a bond, and divalent linearor branched C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, L² is, independently for each m, selected fromdivalent linear or branched C₁-C₁₀ alkyl optionally interrupted with atleast one of —O—, —C(O)O—, and —OC(O)O—, and E is selected from hydrogenand linear or branched C₁-C₁₀ alkyl optionally interrupted with at leastone of —O— and —C(O)O—.
 4. The compound of claim 1, wherein E issubstituted with at least group represented by the following formula,

in which R¹⁵ is selected from hydrogen and linear or branched C₁-C₈alkyl.
 5. The compound of claim 1, wherein R⁷ is further substitutedwith a group represented by the following Formula III,

wherein L⁴ is a divalent linking group selected from a bond, divalenthydrocarbyl and divalent substituted hydrocarbyl, R¹¹ and R¹² are eachindependently selected from hydrogen, hydrocarbyl and substitutedhydrocarbyl, provided at least one of R¹¹ and R¹² is selected fromhydrocarbyl and substituted hydrocarbyl, and n is 0, 1 or 2, and R¹³ isindependently for each n selected from hydrocarbyl and substitutedhydrocarbyl.
 6. The compound of claim 1 wherein E is substituted with agroup represented by the following Formula IVa,

wherein R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, and L¹ are each independently asdefined in claim 1, provided that a direct E-L¹ link between E and L¹ ofFormula IVa is free of two heteroatoms linked together.
 7. The compoundof claim 2, wherein said compound is represented by the followingFormula Ib,

wherein R¹⁴ is a multivalent linking group selected from, multivalentC₁-C₁₂ linear or branched alkyl, multivalent optionally substitutedC₃-C₁₂ cycloalkyl, multivalent optionally substituted C₃-C₁₂heterocycloalkyl, multivalent optionally substituted aryl, multivalentoptionally substituted heteroaryl, and combinations thereof.
 8. Thecompound of claim 3, wherein each L³ is independently selected from thefollowing formulas,


9. The compound of claim 1, wherein said compound is selected from atleast one compound represented by the following Formulas VI(A) throughVI(L),

wherein R¹, R², R³, R⁴, and R⁵ are in each case methyl, and R¹¹ and R¹²are in each case tertiary butyl.
 10. The compound of claim 1, whereinthe compound is a mesogenic compound.
 11. A liquid crystal compositioncomprising the compound of claim
 1. 12. The liquid crystal compositionof claim 11, further comprising at least one of a photochromic compound,a dichroic compound, and a photochromic-dichroic compound.
 13. Theliquid crystal composition of claim 12, wherein said photochromiccompound or said photochromic-dichroic compound is selected fromindeno-fused naphthopyrans, naphtho[1,2-b]pyrans, naphtho[2,1-b]pyrans,spirofluoroeno[1,2-b]pyrans, phenanthropyrans, quinolinopyrans,fluoroanthenopyrans, spiropyrans, benzoxazines, naphthoxazines,spiro(indoline)naphthoxazines, spiro(indoline)pyridobenzoxazines,spiro(indoline)fluoranthenoxazines, spiro(indoline)quinoxazines,fulgides, fulgimides, diarylethenes, diarylalkylethenes,diarylalkenylethenes, non-thermally reversible photochromic compounds,and mixtures thereof.
 14. An article of manufacture comprising thecompound of claim
 1. 15. The article of manufacture of claim 14, whereinsaid article of manufacture is an optical element comprising: asubstrate; and a layer on at least a portion of a surface of saidsubstrate, wherein said layer comprises the compound of claim
 1. 16. Theoptical element of claim 15, wherein said layer is at least partiallyaligned by exposing at least a portion of said layer to at least one ofa magnetic field, an electric field, linearly polarized radiation, andshear force.
 17. The optical element of claim 15, wherein said layercomprises a liquid crystal phase having at least one of a nematic phase,a smectic phase, or a chiral nematic phase.
 18. The optical element ofclaim 15, wherein said optical element is selected from an ophthalmicelement, a display element, a window, a mirror, and a liquid crystalcell element.
 19. The ophthalmic element of claim 18, wherein saidophthalmic element is selected from a corrective lens, a non-correctivelens, a contact lens, an intra-ocular lens, a magnifying lens, aprotective lens, and a visor.
 20. The article of manufacture of claim14, wherein said article of manufacture is a liquid crystal cellcomprising: a first substrate having a first surface; a second substratehaving a second surface, said first surface of said first substrate andsaid second surface of said second substrate being in spaced oppositionfrom each other, and together defining a space there-between; and aliquid crystal composition residing within at least a portion of saidspace, said liquid crystal composition comprising the compound ofclaim
 1. 21. A method of forming an ophthalmic element comprising:forming a liquid crystal composition comprising the compound of claim 1;applying said liquid crystal composition to at least a portion of asubstrate; at least partially aligning at least a portion of the liquidcrystal composition applied to said substrate, thereby forming an atleast partially aligned liquid crystal composition; and curing, at leastpartially, the aligned liquid crystal composition.